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Silver Falls wins $800,000 PGE grant to fund three electric buses and chargers
Summary
District officials said a $800,000 PGE electric-bus grant will fund three in-town electric buses and charging infrastructure; vehicles will be owned by contractor 1st Student under a pass-through arrangement and are likely to arrive in late 2026.
District leadership told the board the Silver Falls School District received a PGE Electric Bus Grant totaling $800,000 to acquire three electric buses and associated charging equipment. Staff described the award as a pass-through grant: funds are awarded to the public district but the vehicles and charging infrastructure are expected to be owned by contractor 1st Student under the current service arrangement.
"Each bus is well over $400,000," a district representative said during the presentation, and about $150,000 of the award is earmarked for charging infrastructure. Staff explained the buses will operate primarily on in-town routes and that long rural runs may not be suitable for current electric bus technology. They cautioned the public that operational details, ownership arrangements and timelines are still being negotiated and that the district expected the buses to be on the road possibly in late fall 2026.
Board members asked how ownership transfers would work if the district changes contractors and whether the grant obligates additional maintenance or energy costs. Staff said they had requested a draft memorandum of understanding from 1st Student and would invite 1st Student leadership to a future board meeting to answer specifics.
