Troy schools get state money for low- or no-emission school buses

TROY — The Troy School District is among 29 Michigan districts and intermediate school districts that are receiving nearly $30 million from the Michigan Department of Education to replace school buses with ones that emit fewer greenhouse gasses.

The funding from the Michigan’s Clean School Bus grant program is designed to reduce harmful emissions and promote healthier air quality by converting student transportation fleets from diesel-powered vehicles to buses with low or no greenhouse gas emissions as determined by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The grant funding came from the 2024 State School Aid Act.

Funding can be used for buses that operate using electricity, propane or natural gas. “Clean” school buses offer low/no tailpipe pollution, reduced maintenance costs for districts, and improved air quality for children, the state said. Districts in Michigan have found that such buses start more reliably and reach a comfortable cabin temperature faster than diesel buses on cold mornings, state officials said.

According to the MDE, there is no official state level data comparing electric vs combustible engine maintenance costs, but the department said that the sheer lower numbers of parts within the vehicle would tend to cause fewer problems, as there are fewer parts to break down.

State officials said the buses are less expensive to operate than diesel buses and save districts a significant amount of money over time. The Michigan Department of Education says that, in general, it is about 2.5 times cheaper to power vehicles with electricity rather than diesel, and electricity prices are generally more stable than gasoline or diesel prices. With a fast-charging system, buses can be recharged between routes, which makes rural routes accessible, officials said.

State Superintendent Michael F. Rice said the grant money will improve the health, safety and wellness of students.

The Troy School District has been awarded $823,536 in grant funds from the MDE. The district applied for and was approved for two new electric buses, along with the installation of two charging stations. The total estimated cost for the two electric buses and charging stations is approximately $915,000.

“The Troy School District is committed to sustainability and continually seeks ways to improve our district’s environmental impact,” district Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Kendra Montante said in an email. “As part of this commitment, we are actively reviewing additional grant opportunities to help offset the cost difference between the awarded funds and the total project cost. This transition to electric buses aligns with our strategic initiatives to enhance sustainability and operational efficiency within our district. We are excited to take this important step towards a more sustainable future and grateful for the support from the Michigan Department of Education and other partners who have made this opportunity possible.”

“The commitment by the state and federal governments to provide schools with more environmentally friendly buses is good for our children, good for our schools, and good for our communities,” EGLE Director Phil Roos said. In May, the federal government announced an award of just under $24 million in rebates for Michigan to help 27 selected schools and districts buy 100 clean-energy buses — 97 powered by electricity and three by propane — through the EPA’s 2023 Clean School Bus Program, funded by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Before passage of the act, Michigan had 17 electric school buses.

For more information, visit michigan.gov/mde or troy.k12.mi.us/.