nick.nigro@atlaspolicy.com

Utah has utilized $7.5 million from the Clean School Bus Program to transition to electric buses. Schools like Uintah have already saved around $65,000 annually due to lower electricity costs compared to diesel. Despite some implementation challenges, the electric buses have shown promising results and fewer maintenance issues. The program continues with further funding to support additional electric buses in the state.

Utah has utilized $7.5 million from the Clean School Bus Program to transition to electric buses. Schools like Uintah have already saved around $65,000 annually due to lower electricity costs compared to diesel. Despite some implementation challenges, the electric buses have shown promising results and fewer maintenance issues. The program continues with further funding to support additional electric buses in the state.

Utah has utilized $7.5 million from the Clean School Bus Program to transition to electric buses. Schools like Uintah have already saved around $65,000 annually due to lower electricity costs compared to diesel. Despite some implementation challenges, the electric buses have shown promising results and fewer maintenance issues. The program continues with further funding to support additional electric buses in the state.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved a $14.5 million federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to fund various green initiatives, including greenway improvements, electric vehicle charging stations, and solar panel installations.

West Union Elementary School replaced its failing 1957 boiler with a ground-source heat pump system. Casper Plumbing and Heating, a local contractor, completed this $4.2 million project.

Northland Pines School District recently installed a new solar array at St. Germain Elementary School – the district’s fourth solar project and the first one to receive an energy tax credit. The solar arrays offer hands-on educational opportunities for students to learn about electricity. The project, completed by Hoffman Planning, Design, and Construction, will help the district continue to save on operating costs.

Salt Lake City School District added solar panel arrays to 6 schools as part of their plan to transform learning spaces into healthy, productive environments for students and staff. McKinstry, a national leader in high-efficiency buildings, completed these projects.

Undaunted K12 announced that six school districts have been awarded federal funds for clean energy projects. These projects will make schools safer, healthier, and more sustainable. This highlights the importance of investing in climate action at educational institutions. These initiatives aim to create resilient learning environments for students.

After building Wisconsin’s first energy-efficient net-zero elementary school in 2020, the Oregon School District was the first district in the state to receive an energy tax credit. The credits were earned for a recently installed rooftop solar array. The project, completed by Spectrum Full Solar, will help lower the high school’s electricity bill. In November 2024, the Oregon School District received $73,761 as a federal reimbursement for the solar array.

Groundswell, a community power nonprofit, unveiled one of Georgia's first community-owned resilience hubs at Community Church in West Atlanta. This hub, powered by solar energy and battery storage, can provide up to three days of backup power for critical services during power outages and severe weather. The project was completed in partnership with several organizations, including Stryten Energy, InterUrban Solar, and the City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience. The hub's financing leveraged federal tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, ensuring the church's debt-free ownership. This initiative aims to enhance local resilience and reduce energy burdens in the community.