Several area school districts are receiving federal funds to reduce diesel emissions and protect the health of young riders in the process.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced four districts are receiving funds as part of the 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act School Bus Rebates:
*USD 253 Emporia gets $40,000 to replace two buses.
*USD 252 Southern Lyon County gets $20,000 to replace one bus
*USD 417 Morris County gets $55,000 involving three buses
*USD 456 Marais des Cygnes Valley gets $20,000 for one bus
Lebo and Waverly bus services each get $20,000 involving one bus.
The DERA rebates and separate funding through the 2021 American Rescue Plan Electric School Bus Rebates program are precursors to a $5 billion federal investment into the Clean School Bus program over the next five years. Details about the new rebate program will be announced later this spring, but the program will let applicants replace existing buses with low-or zero-emission models.
