Pappas, Shaheen, Hassan Join EPA in Celebrating $31 Million for NH School Districts to Upgrade to Clean School Buses, Bringing Healthier Air to NH Children and Families

Today, during Children’s Health Month, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joinedSenator Maggie Hassan (NH),U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash, and the Derry Cooperative School District to celebrate $31 million in funding for 110 new clean school buses across nine school districts in New Hampshire. This funding is from the EPA's Clean School Bus Program, which was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, and includes $8.6 million in rebate funding for Derry to purchase 25 zero-emission buses.

“Clean school buses safeguard the well-being of New Hampshire children, save taxpayer dollars, help keep our air and environment clean, and make a big difference in the long-term health of our communities,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “The EPA's Clean School Bus Program was created by the bipartisan infrastructure law and is providing New Hampshire school districts with resources to upgrade their bus fleet to cleaner, safer vehicles, including rebate funding for Derry to purchase 25 zero-emission buses. This is an important step in the right direction for our children, taxpayers, and communities.”

"Replacing older diesel buses makes a big difference for kids' health and air quality in our communities. That’s why I’m so glad New Hampshire is receiving more than $33 million for 11 school districts to supply 117 new, zero-emission electric school buses. I couldn't be prouder to help deliver this lasting investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the future of New Hampshire communities," said Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

Today’s event showcased Derry's new clean energy school buses, which will address climate change, improve public health, and lower costs for New Hampshire schools," said Senator Maggie Hassan. “I worked with my colleagues to negotiate and pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to help make smart investments like this possible, and I will continue to work to support New Hampshire’s clean energy economy and lower costs."

“When I was a kid, I remember the acrid smell of the stinky diesel school bus that picked me up at my bus stop. No kid, no matter where they live, should have to breathe in the unhealthy exhaust from a diesel bus,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “EPA’s Clean School Bus Program is making it easier for kids to breathe better, cleaner air on the way to and from school. With October being Children’s Health Month, this is a great opportunity to continue amplifying the relationship between cleaner environments and the well-being of our communities, particularly our children. By transforming our nation’s diesel school bus fleet, we’re not only protecting our students, but saving school districts money, improving air quality, and uplifting American innovation and manufacturing.”  

“We are thrilled to be part of this initiative and grateful for the support of the EPA in helping us transition to clean energy. These new buses represent our commitment to reducing our environmental impact while ensuring safe, reliable transportation for our students. This grant allows us to take a significant step toward a greener future for our community and the next generation,” said Derry Cooperative School District Transportation Coordinator, Dr. Clifton Dancy.  

“At First Student, our top priority is ensuring each student we transport to and from school arrives ready to learn and returns home safely. Students across the state will soon have cleaner, quieter rides thanks to this funding, which will deliver 25 new electric school buses,” said Kevin Matthews, head of electrification for First Student. “As the company with the most electric school buses on the road today, we are pleased to work with the EPA and school officials in Derry to get these electric school buses in service. Reducing exposure to harmful tailpipe pollution will improve student health and better position them to succeed in school.”  

EPA's Clean School Bus Program was created by the bipartisan infrastructure law, which Congressman Pappas and the New Hampshire Congressional delegation supported and provides an unprecedented $5 billion in funding to transform the nation's fleet of school buses. The Clean School Bus Program is a key player in advancing the transition to zero-emission vehicles and replacing older diesel-fueled buses that contribute to asthma and other respiratory conditions, particularly affecting children in overburdened communities. These new electric buses will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance the air quality for students, bus drivers, and nearby communities, leading to healthier outcomes for children and Granite Staters. Over the lifespan of the vehicles, clean school buses can also cost less to maintain and fuel than the older buses they are replacing – freeing up needed resources for schools and saving taxpayer dollars. For more information click here.