Queensbury Union Free School District will receive $800,000 in grant money to purchase electric buses, U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Charles Schumer’s office announced recently.
Queensbury is one of six school districts across the Capital Region expected to receive federal rebate funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Clean School Bus Program.
“We’re really excited to receive this grant money to help fund the purchase of electric buses and the necessary equipment that is needed,” said Superintendent of Schools Kyle Gannon. “It’s a really significant amount of money. It’s game-changing.”
New York State has mandated that school districts begin to electrify bus fleets by 2027, and all buses have to be electric by 2035. Queensbury UFSD plans to purchase four electric buses during the 2024-25 school year.
The district is awaiting further clarification from the EPA on the grant and how the funds can be used.
“The district’s plan is to continue to apply for grants in the future, as we know this helps our overall budget and is prudent to our taxpayers,” Gannon said.
The district anticipates the electric buses to arrive in early spring. Queensbury will also be purchasing two diesel buses during the 2024-25 school year.