Glades County School District (GCSD) has introduced 13 industry-leading electric school buses to its fleet for the 2024-2025 school year. The new electric school buses will replace more than half of the district's outdated diesel buses—some of which have been in operation for more than 25 years.
A 2-MW rooftop solar project is coming to ¡HOLA! Elementary in Palmetto, Florida, aimed at promoting sustainability and reducing energy costs. The initiative is led by Renaissance Arts and Education, Tampa Bay Solar, and Regenerative Shift, and is set for completion by summer 2025. This project will help the school reduce its carbon footprint while utilizing federal tax incentives for non-profits. It showcases how educational institutions can leverage renewable energy for both cost-saving and environmental benefits.
Researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA) received two $20 million grants from the EPA to support climate initiatives in Appalachia and Alaska. The grants aim to address pollution and carbon emissions through projects like climate-resilient housing and infrastructure enhancements. However, uncertainty surrounds the future of the funding due to an executive order signed by former President Trump, freezing the dispersal of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. Legal challenges regarding the order are raising concerns about the continuation of these grants.
Researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA) received two $20 million grants from the EPA to support climate initiatives in Appalachia and Alaska. The grants aim to address pollution and carbon emissions through projects like climate-resilient housing and infrastructure enhancements. However, uncertainty surrounds the future of the funding due to an executive order signed by former President Trump, freezing the dispersal of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. Legal challenges regarding the order are raising concerns about the continuation of these grants.
Madison has received a $20 million grant from the EPA to improve energy efficiency in affordable housing, part of the federal Community Change Grant Program. This funding will enhance home insulation, HVAC systems, and appliances to reduce energy costs and improve air quality, especially in low-income households. The initiative involves local organizations such as Project Home and Sustain Dane, which will also create green energy jobs. The program aims to lower energy bills, improve comfort, and promote sustainability while addressing climate change.
The La Crosse School District has significantly cut costs by incorporating sustainable energy solutions. Three schools currently have solar panels, with a fourth set to go online soon. For example, Northside Elementary's solar array, installed in October 2022, offsets nearly 30% of the building's energy usage and is expected to save the district nearly $500,000 over its 25-year warranty period. Additionally, the district uses geothermal heating and has saved substantial amounts on energy costs. The district is also developing a Climate Action Plan to further increase sustainable energy use and cost savings.
Blackstone Valley Prep in Rhode Island recently unveiled a fleet of 24 all-electric school buses, the largest in the state. Funded by the EPA's Clean School Bus Program, these buses aim to provide healthier, more sustainable transportation for students. The nearly $10 million project includes individual charging stations for each bus. Governor Dan McKee praised the initiative as a win for Rhode Island's climate goals. The electric buses are also expected to be cheaper to maintain than traditional diesel buses.
On Vashon Island in Washington State, across from Seattle, the Vashon United Methodist Church (UMC) recently received elective pay (a.k.a. direct pay) funds in lieu of federal clean energy tax credits for its installed solar and battery storage devices. This helped cover about a third of the costs of the installation, with the other two-thirds covered by a $130,000 Washington State Department of Commerce Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities program grant that Vashon UMC won back in September 2023. The federal credit and state grant helped the church install 30 kilowatts (kW) of solar panels and six battery storage devices in two church-owned buildings.
Coming this fall, Menasha School District will be home to the state’s second net-zero school. In planning, the district mapped out a facility that completely eliminates reliance on oil and gas, and instead utilizes geothermal heating systems, heat pumps, and a 1.15 MW solar array consisting of over 2,700 panels. The new clean energy system is projected to save $140,000 annually and slash carbon dioxide emissions by 803 metric tons each year.
First Student deployed 13 electric school buses for El Dorado Springs R-2 Schools in Missouri, marking the district's transition to a fully electric fleet. This initiative, funded by the EPA's Clean School Bus Program, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 700,000 pounds annually. The new electric buses will replace older diesel buses, providing a cleaner, quieter, and safer ride for students. Superintendent Brad Steward highlighted the district's commitment to sustainability and innovative technologies. First Student plans to transition 30,000 diesel buses to electric by 2035.