Article Summary –
The bipartisan infrastructure law passed in 2021 by the Democratic-led Congress and implemented by the Biden-Harris administration provided significant funding for public schools to transition to electric buses and improve clean energy infrastructure.
The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded grants to hundreds of school districts nationwide, including William Penn School District, which will receive 25 electric buses and a $7.2 million grant for energy-efficient upgrades to Penn Wood High School.
Despite support from Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick opposes the infrastructure law, arguing it is a major driver of inflation and should be repealed if Republicans gain control of the government.
The bipartisan infrastructure law, passed in 2021 by the Democratic-led Congress and implemented by the Biden-Harris administration, included significant funding for public schools to upgrade to electric buses and enhance clean energy infrastructure.
Like many school systems in Pennsylvania, the William Penn School District in southeastern Delaware County is receiving millions in grants through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
This law, which invested federal funds in America’s bridges, roads, and other infrastructure, was backed by Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. His Republican opponent, Dave McCormick, has called for its repeal.
The law allocated funds for the Clean School Bus program, providing rebates and grants to local school districts to replace their buses with zero-emission electric buses. The Environmental Protection Agency has announced initial grants to hundreds of school districts across all 50 states, enabling the purchase of over 8,000 electric school buses.
William Penn will receive 25 of these electric buses. School districts in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and other Pennsylvania communities have also been selected for funding.
The law also funded the Renew America’s Schools program, offering grants to school systems to reduce energy consumption and costs while improving indoor air quality.
William Penn was awarded a $7.2 million grant in July 2023 to upgrade Penn Wood High School’s Cypress Street campus with a new HVAC system, LED lights, and automated cooling and heating. In August 2024, Pittsburgh Public Schools and Wilkinsburg School District were awarded $15.3 million in Renew America’s Schools funding.
Darnell Deans, chief of operations of the William Penn School District, which serves about 5,000 students, stated that the grants are crucial for achieving net-zero emissions. “The infrastructure law is playing a large part in our efforts to move to a more sustainable energy source,” Deans said.
Deans mentioned that renovations are in the design phase, with plans to break ground in March 2025 and complete by summer 2027. The electric buses are expected to arrive by March 2026 and be in use by the 2026-2027 school year.
“Our community is excited about prioritizing 21st-century learning and addressing environmental hazards through sustainability,” Deans added. “We will use this to educate students on our decisions and integrate it into their curriculums.”
In a June 2023 press release, Sen. Casey stated: “Thanks to the infrastructure law, the William Penn School District can upgrade aging facilities, benefiting students, faculty, and staff for years. This $7.2 million grant is an investment in our students’ health and clean energy future in Delaware County.”
Dave McCormick criticized the infrastructure bill, stating it drives inflation. “With a Senate and House majority and a Republican president, you roll back these expensive Biden bills,” McCormick told a radio host, as reported by the HuffPost in January.
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