This action approves an award in the amount of $5,600,000 to support birmingham city schools to replace in use, non-zero emission heavy duty vehicles with new zero emission vehicles to reduce air…

This Project Grant award, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program (CFDA 66.049), provides $5,600,000 to Birmingham City Schools to replace 20 non-zero emission heavy-duty vehicles with new zero-emission school buses. The award will fund the purchase and installation of 20 DC fast chargers, as well as workforce development and training for drivers, mechanics, and first responders on the safe operation of the electric buses. Key expected outcomes include reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, improved community air quality and health benefits, increased internal workforce and external stakeholder understanding, and greater community awareness and acceptance of sustainable transportation. The grant has an award date of January 1, 2025 and an ultimate completion date of April 30, 2027.

This action approves an award in the amount of $5,600,000 to support birmingham city schools to replace in use, non-zero emission heavy duty vehicles with new zero emission vehicles to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The recipient will replace 20 eligible vehicles with comparable, eligible zero-emission vehicles under the school bus sub-program, resulting in cleaner air and improved health for communities in jefferson county, alabama. Activities:the activities include replacing eligible internal combustion engine class 6 and class 7 vehicles with eligible zero emission vehicles: purchasing, installing, operating, and maintaining charging and fueling equipment to maintain the new zero emission vehicles and providing workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charging, fueling, and operation of the new zero emission vehicles. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include replacement of 20 diesel buses with 20 class 7, type C all electric school buses and installation of 20 DC fast chargers. Training will be provided to drivers, mechanics, and first responders about how to safely operate the electric school buses. A community event will be hosted to focus on the arrival of the new electric school buses. The expected outcomes include reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, increased health benefits from the improved air quality, increased understanding by the internal workforce and external stakeholders, and increased awareness of sustainable transportation and community acceptance through community engagement events and activities. The intended beneficiaries include birmingham city schools (GRANTEE) and the disadvantaged community residents who will benefit from improved ambient air quality in communities in which the vehicles operate.