Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) has announced that Hillsborough County Public Schools are receiving a $7.9 million grant for 20 new electric buses awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The EPA has instituted its Clean School Bus Program which has granted almost $1 billion in funds toward environmentally cleaner forms of transportation.
Rep. Castor welcomed the buses saying it was “great news” that children of her district were some of the first to interact with this program.
“Our children, our schools, and our communities can breathe easier as clean electric school buses are on their way,” said Rep. Castor. “Clean school buses will deliver cleaner air, healthier students, and save money over time. Across America, local school districts are replacing old, polluting buses to cut pollution and modernize transportation - it’s great news that Hillsborough County Public Schools and students will help lead the way.”
The congresswoman continued by mentioning that this is a no-lose situation for Floridians.
“This is a win-win-win for our communities: We are taking polluting school buses off the street, saving our public schools money and ensuring our children breathe clean air, keeping them healthy, safe and our public health strong,” said Castor.
Additionally, the Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools – the 7th largest public school system in the country – Van Ayres, said that he was “appreciative’ of the grant given.
“We are appreciative of the hard work of our grants and transportation teams who were instrumental in distinguishing Hillsborough County Public Schools through the acquisition of these funds,” said Ayres. “We look forward to preparing a plan that will address our infrastructure needs as we enhance our transportation system.”
Recently, Castor called Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) the “Grinch” after he turned down a $320 million federal infrastructure grant.
The rationale for the decision was based on the notion that the grant was “politicized” to address climate change, according to Business Insider. The grant would’ve been facilitated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP).
Castor serves as the Chair of the former Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.
