NE Washington News

Washington, D.C. — The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations released a new staff report titled “Majority Staff Report: Examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s Electric School Bus Program.”

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Chair Earl J. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) issued a joint statement regarding the report's findings.

“It is clear the $5 billion Clean School Bus Program is overall a failure and, in many cases, a waste of Americans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars. The program, led by the radical Biden-Harris EPA, props up a market that relies heavily upon a supply chain dominated by the Chinese Communist Party. Further, the program was constructed without the necessary safeguards to prevent fraud and incentivizes schools to use buses they otherwise would not choose. It’s also important to note that the EPA refuses to tell us how many of these school buses are on the road. As the official tasked with ensuring the success of the program, Vice President Harris bears great responsibility for its significant shortcomings.” The Chairs also added, “We commend EPA Inspector General Sean O’Donnell for his assistance in our investigation as well as his own work as the EPA’s watchdog.”

The report includes sections such as:

- Executive Summary

- Introduction to the Clean School Bus Program

- Creation of the Clean School Bus Program

- 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate Program

- 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program

- 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program

- Concerns with Electric School Buses: Cost, Environmental Impact, Battery Production, Battery Recycling, Increased Risk of Fires, Performance

- ESB Supply Chains: National Security, Human Rights Issues in the Supply Chain

- Problems with the Clean School Bus Program: Lack of Verification Procedures Leads to Waste, Fraud and Abuse; Delay Issues; Program Imbalance

- Conclusion

- Appendix

The investigation timeline highlights key dates:

September 13, 2023: Subcommittee convenes hearing titled "Making the Grade?: Audit of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program."

October 31, 2023: First round of surveys sent to school districts participating in the program.

January 9, 2024: Statement issued after EPA announced an additional $1 billion in grants for President Biden’s electric school bus plan.

April 5, 2024: E&C Republicans press EPA for information on program specifics.

September 17, 2024: Release of staff report on Clean School Bus Program.

Main: (202) 225-3641

Press: (202) 226-4972