This action provides funding in the amount of $7,587,500.00 to assist the duval county public schools under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to replace in-use, non-zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles…

This $7,587,500 Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program (CFDA 66.049) will assist Duval County Public Schools in Florida to replace 25 Class 6/7 diesel school buses with zero-emission electric buses. The project will also fund the installation of 25 DC fast chargers to support the new electric buses. Additionally, the grant will provide workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charging, fueling, and operation of the new zero-emission vehicles. Duval County Public Schools plans to partner with Highland Electric Fleets and Grid Alternatives on this initiative to reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation costs in the district.

This action provides funding in the amount of $7,587,500.00 to assist the duval county public schools under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to replace in-use, non-zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles with new zero-emission vehicles to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in EPA region 4. The intended beneficiaries include duval county public schools (grantee), highland electric fleets (partner), and grid alternatives (partner). Activities:the activities include replacing eligible internal combustion engine class 6 and class 7 vehicles with eligible zero-emission vehicles (ZEB); purchasing, installing, operating, and maintaining charging and fueling equipment to maintain the new vehicles; and providing workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charging, fueling, and operation of the new zero-emission vehicles. Subrecipient:duval county public schools is applying to replace 25 class 6/7 diesel buses with class 6/7 zebs to reduce the district's emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX), particulate matter (PM), and greenhouse gases (ghgs). The project will directly improve the air quality for students, staff, and community members and reduce district transportation costs. In addition, the district plans to develop a public private partnership model with national express (NEC) or highland electric (highland) fleets to ensure efficient and cost-effective use of IRA funding. The current buses serving the school district are owned by NEC. Highland is identified as an NEC's electrification partner. Duval public school district plans to use the subaward process, which will establish the bus ownership arrangement. Duval public school district will enter into a subaward agreement with NEC or highland.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include the replacement of 25 diesel school buses with zero-emission buses and the installation of 25 DC fast chargers for the school buses. Additionally, staff, drivers, electricians, mechanics, and public safety officials will receive training on how to properly operate and maintain buses and chargers. Community engagement activities will be conducted to educate the community about zero-emission buses. The expected outcomes include a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality for the communities. The intended beneficiaries include duval county public schools (grantee), highland electric fleets (partner), and grid alternatives (partner). Other beneficiaries include disadvantaged community residents who will benefit from improved ambient air quality in communities in which the vehicles operate.