As a part of the Texas Clean School Bus (TCSB) Program, Forney ISD received a grant towards purchasing five newer, cleaner bus models. Funding is used to replace or retrofit school buses to help reduce children’s exposure to diesel exhaust in and around diesel-fueled school buses. 

Across Texas, thousands of buses carry more than one million students to and from school everyday. Many of them are over ten years old and emit more pollution than newer models, which can cause issues with air quality. Administered under the Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP), the grant helps keep air clean in Texas by providing funding to reduce emissions from mobile sources. It also encourages the use of alternative fuels for transportation in Texas.

Grants are available statewide and may reimburse up to 100% of the cost to retrofit a school bus, or up to 80% of the cost to replace a school bus. The district submitted an application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and was awarded a grant in the amount of $369,000 towards purchasing the new buses. They will be available for use during the 2023-2024 school year.