There’s a new federal program to help school districts battle the high costs of operating school buses. State Auditor Rob Sand told KNIA/KRLS News how school districts could save money with the program.

“There is a program in place for replacing older school buses that are insufficient, to help them save on fuel.”

Schools who are eligible for the program in the KNIA-KRLS listening  area are Melcher Dallas, Pleasantville, Twin Cedars, Monroe, North Mahaska, Lynnville-Sully and Southeast Warren.

The schools will need to apply for grants for clean school buses soon.

The application process closes on August 19; the EPA will offer eligible school districts up to $500 million to replace old school buses with new zero-emission and low-emission school buses.

Sand says,“This program is an opportunity for school districts in Iowa to update their fleets with zero or reduced emission models that vastly reduce fuel and maintenance costs, saving Iowa tax dollars,” and is a win-win for Iowa’s schools, students, and taxpayers.”