Mesa Public Schools (MPS) is included in the first round of grants under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program and will receive $750,000 to defray the cost of purchasing 25 LPG-powered school buses to replace existing diesel and petrol-powered buses. MPS expects to take delivery of the new vehicles within the next year.

The district, one of eight Arizona winners of the first year’s grants, has already made big investments in converting its fleet to Autogas, and currently boasts 255 buses running on this fuel out of a fleet of more than 500 units. MPS’ LPG-powered fleet includes both special education and regular education buses.

According to MPS Director of Transportation Jeanne Vandemark, the district was a “groundbreaker” in the use of alternative fuel buses, first adopting some around 2010. “Everything that we do in Mesa Public Schools is in the best interest of the safety of the children, our environment, and of course we’re very conscious of our citizens being taxpayers,” she said.

The EPA’s Clean Bus Program, a five-year, $5 billion program created by the bipartisan infrastructure law that Congress passed last year, is aimed at encouraging school districts to replace conventional petroleum or diesel buses.

“We’re keeping Arizona children safe through cleaner and more reliable school transportation – giving peace of mind to Arizona parents knowing that their children are safe in these newer, safer buses,” said Senator Kyrsten Sinema, lead negotiator and co-author of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law.

“Thanks to our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the funding we secured will ensure Arizona schools can continue to provide students with school bus services while also making our air cleaner with zero-emission and low-emission buses,” said Senator Mark Kelly, who shaped the law.

For more information, please visit Senator Sinema’s website and East Valley Tribune.

21 December 2022