TAMPA, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced a $7.9 million federal grant awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for 20 new electric buses for Hillsborough County Public Schools. The project, ‘Schools Are Too Cool for Fuel,’ is a part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which just awarded nearly $1 billion to 280 schools nationwide for electric and clean school buses – delivering cleaner air for kids on the bus and communities. 

“Our children, our schools, and our communities can breathe easier as clean electric school buses are on their way,” said 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.

Castor continued, “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.”

“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 Van Ayres, Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools. “We look forward to preparing a plan that will address our infrastructure needs as we enhance our transportation system.”

In September, Castor led her Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on a hearing regarding the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, where she highlighted the benefits students and communities will experience thanks to cleaner, cheaper energy.

As Chair of the former Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, Castor led the Congress in creating a comprehensive legislative framework to address climate change. Many of Castor’s recommendations, including electrifying school buses across the country, are being implemented through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.