The Trump administration is starting to unfreeze funds for a federal program aimed at reducing climate change pollution. Some school districts can now access millions in federal grants for electric school buses, funds that were previously blocked since January. Congress had allocated $5 billion for replacing diesel buses, which pollute more and are linked to health issues in children. While the second round of grants has been released, the third round is still pending. Federal judges have ordered the administration to end the funding freeze. Other agencies, like the Department of Agriculture, are also beginning to release funds.
The Trump administration is starting to release funds for at least one federal initiative focused on mitigating the pollution contributing to climate change.
On Thursday, several school districts announced they could now access millions in federal grants to purchase electric school buses. This funding, which had been authorized by Congress and is managed by the Environmental Protection Agency, was put on hold in January when President Trump called for a review of climate and clean energy initiatives.
So far, only a fraction of the funding for school buses has been made available. Congress initially allocated $5 billion to assist schools in replacing their aging diesel buses with electric alternatives that generate less pollution. The majority of school buses in the U.S. run on diesel, and its emissions are associated with significant health issues in children, including asthma. Additionally, diesel buses contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Under the Biden administration, the E.P.A. awarded three rounds of funding to 1,344 school districts, amounting to $2.8 billion.
Several award recipients have confirmed that the second round of grants has now been released. However, the third wave of rebates for electric school buses remains suspended. It is unclear whether the E.P.A. intends to distribute the remaining $2.2 billion that Congress authorized.
The agency has not responded to a request for comments.
The electric school bus initiative has gained popularity among many school districts and some Republicans. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican from West Virginia, visited a new electric bus manufacturing plant in her state last fall and communicated this month to Politico her efforts to urge the E.P.A. to release the frozen funding.
Certain school districts found themselves in a difficult situation due to the unfulfilled funding.
In Arkansas, the Little Rock School District was relying on its second-round grant of $9.8 million to acquire 25 electric school buses. As part of its agreement, the district was required to permanently retire several of its older diesel buses. When the grant was put on hold, the district faced a shortage of buses and had to suspend plans for a new charging facility.
“We were extremely upset,” stated Linda Young, the director of grants for the Little Rock School District. However, she noted on Thursday that the district was finally able to access its allocated funds.
The district is still awaiting news on a separate federal grant of $11.25 million intended for updating outdated heating and cooling systems in 17 schools, which is currently under review by the Energy Department. “We hope to receive good news,” remarked Ms. Young.
Two federal judges have mandated the Trump administration to lift its freeze on federal grants approved by Congress. On February 10, one of the judges, John J. McConnell Jr., stated in a federal court in Rhode Island that the White House was in violation of his order by withholding funds.
Other federal agencies are beginning to release frozen funding. On Thursday, the Department of Agriculture announced it was disbursing an initial $20 million in conservation funds for farmers, a part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which included significant climate grant allocations.
In a statement, the agency assured that it continues to assess IRA funding to meet its obligation to American taxpayers, ensuring that the programs prioritize the support of farmers and ranchers rather than so-called “far-left climate initiatives.”