The Steel City Charter School in Gary was one of the nine Indiana school districts to win a federal grant to replace diesel-fueled school buses with more environmentally friendly powered buses.
Steel City received $2.45 million, the largest amount in the state.
“We are thrilled and honored that Steel City Academy has been selected as one of the 530 schools across the country to receive a $2.45 million grant as part of the Clean School Bus program,” said Steel City executive director Katie Kirley.
“This grant will enable us to introduce brand new electric buses to our fleet, significantly reducing our carbon footprint and reinforcing our commitment to combating climate change and protecting the environment.”
Grant recipients can choose electric buses, which don’t produce tailpipe emissions, or propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, which produce lower tailpipe emissions than older diesel models.
Nationwide, nearly about 92% of the 3,400 clean school buses purchased will be electric, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Kirley said Steel City has forged a partnership with Incandescent Transportation, based in Highland. “Their support and expertise have been invaluable, and we are incredibly grateful for their collaboration,” she said.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said Tuesday in a release: “With today’s latest round of funding, we are transforming the nation’s school bus fleet to better protect our most precious cargo—our kids—saving school districts money, improving air quality, and bolstering American manufacturing all at the same time.”
Created with $5 billion over five years from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA hopes to transform school fleets with “zero emission and low-emission” buses.
Diesel exhaust exposure can lead to many negative health and environmental effects, especially in communities of color like Gary, according to the EPA, which said they can cause asthma and respiratory illnesses.
Exposure to diesel exhaust can also “worsen existing heart and lung disease, especially in children and the elderly,” the agency said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
