Underwood Secures $5,000,000 in Funding for 25 New Electric School Buses
WASHINGTON — This week, Representative Lauren Underwood announced a new round of federal funding she has secured from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program to help Aurora West Unit School District 129 replace diesel fueled buses with zero-emission, cleaner alternatives.
“Replacing diesel fueled buses with new, clean energy alternatives will reduce exposure to air pollution for more than 25 million children and drivers across the country who are breathing dirty air on their daily rides to and from school,” said Rep. Lauren Underwood. “Clean energy investments like these are creating a brighter future for our kids, and a cleaner, healthier environment for our families. I’m so proud to bring this investment home to northern Illinois.”
As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Underwood has made securing federal resources for northern Illinois a top priority. The following funds will support programs in the 14th district with federal resources:
Aurora West Unit School District 129, Aurora, Illinois - $5,000,000
Aurora West School District 129 will receive $5,000,000 to support the purchase of 25 new electric buses.
The Clean School Bus Program reduces greenhouse gas emissions and leads to cleaner air for students, bus drivers, and school staff working near the bus loading areas and the communities that the buses drive through each day. Low-income, rural, and/or Tribal communities make up approximately 45% of the selected projects and will receive approximately 67% of the total overall funding.
Rep. Underwood helped secure the funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.