Chief Communications Officer
Bay City ISD
BCISD secures $4M ‘Clean School Bus Grant’ electric fleet replacement
Bay City Independent School District (BCISD) is pleased to announce the successful receipt of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2023 “Clean School Bus Grant” last week.
The grant is set to help BCISD replace 10 school buses from an aging fleet with state-of-the-art electric buses.
Highlights of the grant include:
- Acquisition of 10 electric buses from The Lion Electric
- Distinction as one of only three school districts in the state of Texas to be awarded this grant in the current Lion Electric round of applications.
- This grant not only covers the costs of procuring the electric buses but also extends support for the necessary charging infrastructure.
“The electric buses, a sustainable alternative to traditional diesel vehicles, will be integrated into our fleet to serve general routes, promoting cleaner transportation for our students,” reads the BCISD press release.
To ensure versatility, BCISD will continue to maintain diesel buses in the fleet to accommodate long-distance travel requirements.
“BCISD is proud to have received a letter of utility coordination affirmation from AEP Texas, and we look forward to collaborating closely with them as we embark on the implementation of these electric buses,” the release continues.
BCISD aims to integrate the new buses into its fleet by early 2025; however, the specific implementation date is yet to be determined.
"Similar to many school districts across the state, BCISD is faced with the challenge of replacing an aging school bus fleet as costs and inflation continue to increase rapidly,’ said BCISD Superintendent Dr. Dwight McHazlett.
“This grant was a great opportunity for BCISD to address the need without using local tax dollars to cover approximately $4M for buses and infrastructure covered in the grant.”
Last year the district purchased two new diesel-engine buses using a separate allotment which also avoided the use of local tax dollars offsetting an additional cost of approximately $277,000.
“Replacing 12 new buses to our fleet, without using local tax dollars, is significant considering school funding was not adequately addressed in the last legislative session,” he added.
“This grant represents a significant milestone for BCISD, showcasing our dedication to providing safe transportation for our students, while continuing to be fiscally responsible and accountable to the taxpayer.
We express our gratitude to the EPA for their support and look forward to the positive impact this initiative will have on our community.”