SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) announced Tuesday that millions in funding will be coming to replace school buses around Illinois. According to a press release, a $27,023,485 Notice of Funding Opportunity to replace diesel school buses with new all-electric school buses has been announced. The school buses must operate […]
The Volkswagen Settlement is the resolution of a U.S Department of Justice investigation that found the company violated the federal Clean Air Act by installing devices in certain diesel vehicles to circumvent emissions standards, according to the press release.
Illinois has $88.6 million remaining in funds from the settlement and in addition to the $9 million in electric school bus grants, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency officials are also calling on a revision to the state’s Beneficiary Mitigation Fund. The revamp would replace old diesel engines with electric school buses, public transit and infrastructure projects to promote cleaner air.
“This funding opportunity and revised BMP reflects Governor Pritzker and the Illinois EPA’s commitment to supporting growth of the electric vehicle market in Illinois,” said Illinois EPA Director John Kim. “Illinois EPA looks forward to continuing to administer the VW Settlement to provide environmental, public health, and