U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, along with Senators Ed Markey, Raphael Warnock, and 14 other colleagues, has addressed a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin concerning the status of the Clean School Bus program funding. The senators are seeking clarification on the distribution of funds to recipients who have signed agreements and are urging the immediate release of any withheld funding.
The letter states: “To provide these health and cost savings benefits to our children and continue supporting the boom in electric bus manufacturing that is creating good-paying jobs across the country, the EPA must implement the Clean School Bus program as Congress directed.” The lawmakers emphasize that it is Administrator Zeldin's duty to ensure that program awardees receive their funding.
In addition to Senators Hirono, Markey, and Warnock, other signatories include Senators Michael Bennet, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jeff Merkley, Patty Murray, Jon Ossoff, Gary Peters, Bernie Sanders, Jeanne Shaheen, Mark Warner, Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Ron Wyden.
The senators request detailed information by March 6 regarding several aspects of the program:
1. The status of disbursement for both rebates and grants under the Clean School Bus program.
2. The legal basis for ending disbursement of already obligated funds.
3. If any disbursements remain frozen for awardees and when they will resume.
4. A commitment from Administrator Zeldin to obligate remaining grants through FY2026.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act established this program to fund clean vehicle replacements for school buses and necessary fueling infrastructure aimed at reducing air pollutants. Concerns have been raised since January 20 about contradictory reports on fund disbursement from EPA's Clean School Bus Program.
The senators highlight that more than 25 million children rely on buses daily for transportation to school. They also note that funding has been distributed across all states and numerous tribes with priority given to low-income areas.
Senators express disappointment over reports indicating withheld funds without explanation which contradicts existing law: “To provide these health and cost savings benefits...the EPA must implement [it] as Congress directed.”
They await responses from Administrator Zeldin addressing their inquiries by March 6th while stressing urgency due its impact on communities nationwide.