This bipartisan infrastructure law (also known as the infrastructure investment and jobs act) funded grant provides funding to newport news public schools to replace existing school buses with clean…

This $525,000 award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean School Bus Program (CFDA 66.045) will enable Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) to replace 15 existing diesel school buses with 15 new propane-powered buses. The project, running from April 2024 to March 2026, aims to improve air quality and transportation efficiency by transitioning to cleaner-burning propane school buses. Key deliverables include replacing the diesel buses, providing training for 15 drivers and mechanics on the new bus operations, and hosting a community engagement event. The anticipated outcomes are reduced carbon emissions and quieter, more reliable transportation for approximately 1,900 students served by NNPS each day.

NNPS, a local government school district, will serve as the prime awardee, with no sub-recipients involved in this project. The Clean School Bus Program, authorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supports the replacement of existing diesel school buses with alternative fuel and zero-emission vehicles to mitigate environmental and health impacts. This award aligns with NNPS's broader efforts to enhance educational services and address the unique needs of its diverse student population, including military-connected families.

This bipartisan infrastructure law (also known as the infrastructure investment and jobs act) funded grant provides funding to newport news public schools to replace existing school buses with clean and zero emission (ZE) school buses.activities:the activities include replacing 15 class 7 diesel school buses with 15 class 7 propane school buses. The fleet will operate in newport news, VA. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include replacing 15 class 7 diesel school buses with 15 class 7 propane school buses serving schools in newport news, virginia; using the new propane buses to transport approximately 1,900 students each day; two scheduled trainings for 15 drivers and mechanics on starting procedures and fueling; and one community engagement event to ensure meaningful participation with respect to the design, planning, and performance of the project. The expected outcomes include improving air quality by utilizing propane buses rather than diesel buses. This will reduce the carbon pollution from their 339 bus fleet. IT is anticipated that the propane buses will be quieter than diesel buses, have better road handling, and be easier to work on and maintain compared to the older diesel school buses. The switch from diesel to propane will help streamline staff training and onboarding processes for new bus drivers. The intended beneficiaries include newport news public schools as well as local schoolchildren and communities surrounding the school.