Press Releases
12/23/2024
For Release December 23, 2024 DEEP and Connecticut Green Bank Announce Funding and Low-Interest Financing Available for Electric School Buses
Supplemental Funding from DEEP Leveraged with Federal Funding from the Connecticut Green Bank Will Help to Deploy Clean School Buses; Applications Due Jan. 7
(HARTFORD)- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Green Bank (Green Bank) have announced the availability of a $46 million pool of state and federal funding to support the deployment of electric school buses (ESBs) and the associated charging infrastructure. Municipalities, school districts, and school bus transportation companies are eligible and encouraged to apply by January 7, 2025.
DEEP announced today a Request for Applications (RFA) to support Clean School Bus projects in Connecticut. This RFA makes supplemental funding available in coordination with the Connecticut Green Bank’s low interest financing. The Green Bank issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on December 6, 2024 announcing the availability of financial support, including low-interest and long-term financing for electric school bus projects in the state.
Interested parties must complete the requirements of the Green Bank RFP as well as DEEP’s Clean School Bus Application and School Bus Inventory Form (see relevant links below).
“Our partnership with the Connecticut Green Bank will deliver critical financial support and help leverage over $52 million in federal funding from EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which will deliver important public health benefits to the children who will be riding on these new, clean operating electric school buses,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes.
Bryan Garcia, President & CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank, said, "The Connecticut Green Bank is strongly committed to supporting the state of Connecticut's zero-emission school bus deployment goals and ensuring that kids have a clean and safe ride to school. The RFP that we released in collaboration with DEEP will help ensure that federal investment remains in our state and unlock the private capital needed to scale the electric school bus market in Connecticut. We look forward to reviewing the RFP responses, supporting innovative grant-financing models, and enabling local districts' school bus electrification projects."
Why Diesel Air Pollution is a Problem
Air pollution from diesel engines presents real public health concerns for Connecticut. Our communities, especially those in urban areas near transportation corridors, suffer from exposure to sooty exhaust emitted by trucks, buses, and other diesel engines. These emissions can make breathing difficult, particularly for children, the elderly, and other sensitive groups. Reducing diesel emissions continues to be a top priority for DEEP because:
- Diesel engines are a significant contributor to air pollution, emitting high levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which exacerbates asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and similar respiratory conditions.
- Air quality in Connecticut exceeded the federal health-based standards for ozone (smog) on 23 days in 2024.People experiencing severe symptoms from air pollution exposure are more likely to miss work or school and seek medical treatment.
- According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, in 2023, Connecticut incurred nearly $120 million in acute care charges due to asthma as a primary diagnosis.
- The state’s five largest cities (Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Waterbury), with a total population of 654,232, represent only 18% of Connecticut’s total population, yet they account for nearly half (42%) of the $119.9 million in asthma total healthcare charges.
- Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven all ranked in the top 100 most challenging cities to live with asthma in the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s annual “Asthma Capitals” list in 2024.
Relevant Links
Application and School Bus Inventory
Connecticut Green Bank Request for Proposals
- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110