Just after targeting emissions regulations on farm equipment and trucks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now looking at school buses.
On Thursday, the EPA announced a revamp of the Clean School Bus Program (CSB). It says the updates to the program will bring back American jobs and "unleash American energy production," both part of Administrator Lee Zeldin's Powering the Great American Comeback initiative.
"As was the case with so many of the Biden-era programs, the Clean School Bus program has been a disaster of poor management and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars," Zeldin says. "At the Trump EPA, we have zero tolerance for reckless spending. Americans can rest assured that moving forward, the program will be safe, effective and use reliable forms of American energy."
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The agency released a request for information (RFI) for feedback from fleet operators, manufacturers, school officials and energy producers on fuel options for school buses, including biofuels, compressed natural gas, liquified natural gas and hydrogen.
"While the law has always allowed for these fuel options, the Biden administration intentionally limited their availability to push the use of government subsidized electric buses," the EPA said. "By providing more options to school districts, EPA will ensure they can purchase the right types of school buses for their specific needs."
The agency will use the information from the RFI and information gleaned from previous funding rounds to revamp the program for 2026, it says. It will also not be awarding funds allocated in the 2024 CSB rebate program, but encourages applicants to reapply in 2026.
"The public can expect this next round of funding to prioritize child safety, fiscal responsibility and reliable buses worthy of their tax dollars for American schools — aspects that have all been lacking in previous rounds under the Biden administration," The EPA continues.
The RFI will have a 45-day comment period, which will include an informational webinar on March 3.
