Springfield awarded nearly $10 million for electric school buses; officials monitor federal pause

Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno announced that the city had been awarded just under $10 million from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program, funded by provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, to purchase electric school buses and related charging infrastructure.

The grant, Mayor Sarno and Congressman Rich Neal said at a press event Feb. 10, is intended to reduce the school district’s carbon footprint, lower transportation operating costs and add roughly 11 charging locations tied to the new buses. "This announcement comes from the United States Department of Environmental Protection. It's just about almost $10,000,000, to buy buses, electric vehicles," Congressman Rich Neal said.

City and school leaders stressed the award could help a strained local busing budget. "School busing is a big budget buster — well over $40,000,000 on the city side," Sarno said, arguing that new electric buses and charging infrastructure could reduce long-term costs.

Nut graf: The award is part of federal clean-energy and infrastructure grants that local officials say both advance climate goals and provide budget relief for school transportation. Officials also cautioned that a recent White House directive to review some federally funded programs means implementation may face short-term uncertainty and will be monitored by city staff and the congressional delegation.

Officials and technical notes

Superintendent Dr. Sonia Danniel thanked Congressman Neal and the mayor for their support and said the grant makes the district’s environmental goals tangible for students. Local transit officials noted prior experience with electric buses: Sandra Sheen of PVTA was cited as saying PVTA has operated electric buses for several years without major issues.

City finance staff said contract and drawdown activities were already underway when the administration issued a review. "My assumption is this is already being implemented as we speak," city finance staff member Kathy Bunnell said, adding the city had begun drawing on awarded funds.

Legal and policy context

Congressman Neal framed the award as a product of recent federal legislation, naming the Inflation Reduction Act and, in related remarks, the CHIPS Act and bipartisan infrastructure funding. He and other officials warned that a short-term pause or review of federal spending could prompt court action and said they would watch whether the pause is labeled an "impoundment" (which he said could face successful legal challenge) or a milder "pause." Neal also emphasized Community Development Block Grant funds and HUD programs as important federal supports for cities.

What’s next

Officials said they will continue procurement and planning while monitoring federal guidance and any legal developments. "We're gonna continue to monitor the situation," Sarno said. Congressman Neal and city staff said they would press for continued implementation of authorized programs while responding to any required administrative reviews.

Ending: City and school officials said they will provide updates as contracts and deliveries progress and that members of the congressional delegation remain available to assist with federal follow-up.