The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition recently played a key role in helping seven school systems across the state secure $7.8 million to purchase new electric buses. The deal is part of the Environmental Protection Agency's 2023 Clean School Bus Program Rebate Competition.

Casey Foster, fleet manager for the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, conducted a detailed analysis of every bus route in every public school system in the state last year to determine which routes would be eligible for the department's initiative.

“We are pleased that our analysis played a key role in the school systems' decision to apply for and ultimately receive federal funding for electric school buses,” Foster said. “This is a fantastic step forward that will allow these school systems to better serve their communities with clean-emissions vehicles, while also leveraging federal funding to upgrade their transportation fleets.”

“We look forward to continuing to work with school systems to help them find innovative ways to meet their transportation needs through the use of alternative fuel vehicles,” Foster said. “We thank Alabama Power and APGA for supporting this targeted, strategic approach to educating school systems about the benefits of alternative fuel buses.”

Laurel Vann, executive director of the Alabama Propane Gas Association, gave special praise to one of the state's first districts, which introduced propane buses in 2014.

“I commend the Mobile County School System for securing federal funding and continuing its efforts to transition to a 100% propane-fueled bus fleet,” Vann said. “With the lowest overall cost of any alternative fuel bus, this funding may provide additional funds that can be put to other uses. With 400 buses, Mobile County boasts the largest clean-burning propane-fueled bus fleet in Alabama, saving more than $1 million annually in fuel costs.”

“Mobile County's Propane School Buses are a shining example of how propane can really make a difference for kids and their communities.”

Additionally, the district is set to receive 25 more propane-fueled buses at a cost of $875,000 after being placed on a waiting list.

The seven school systems selected to receive funding from the 2023 Clean School Bus Program are:

• Clay County: 3 buses, $1.035 million
• City of Fort Payne: 4 buses, $1.38 million
• Gulf Shores City: 3 buses, $600,000
• Lanett City: 5 buses, $1.745 million
• City of Jasper: 2 buses, $690,000
• Montgomery County: 2 buses, $690,000
• Selma City: 5 buses, $1.725 million

The City of Albertville (nine buses, $3.145 million), the City of Boaz (two buses, $690,000) and Coneque County (six buses, $2.07 million) were on the waiting list for electric school buses, according to the ACFC.

If an awardee does not complete the remaining required steps, withdraws, or is otherwise deemed ineligible, the funds will be offered to a candidate on the 2023 waitlist.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on X. @ShipleyAusten.