MONTGOMERY – Two public school systems in the Tennessee Valley received federal rebate funding earmarked for the purchase of clean buses, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell announced.

The money is part of $6,910,000 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Huntsville City Schools was selected to receive $8,625,000 in rebate funding to purchase 25 clean school buses and Fort Payne City Schools was allotted $1,380,000 to purchase four clean school buses. 

Overall, the rebates will help schools purchase 51 clean school buses in 10 school districts across the state.

The EPA’s Clean School Bus program was created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will help Alabama accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles and to replace older, diesel fueled school buses, which have been linked to asthma and other conditions that harm the health of students and surrounding communities. 

“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is once again delivering for Alabama,” Sewell (D-Birmingham) said in a news release. “Not only will this funding reduce pollution and make our communities healthier, but it will also save our school districts money and free up resources to invest in the success of our students.

“I was so proud to make this program possible and I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for this investment into Alabama’s schools.”

Sewell was the only member of Alabama’s congressional delegation to vote in favor of Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The program provides a $5 billion to transform the nation’s fleet of school buses to electric buses.

View the full list of Clean School Bus Program awards here.