Contact: Steve Wilson, Big Sandy School District Superintendent, swilson@bigsandy100j.org, 719-541-2292
Big Sandy School District celebrates new electric school buses and charging infrastructure purchased using state, federal, and local grant funding
Big Sandy School District in Simla, Colorado hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for their three electric school buses along with the needed infrastructure for charging them on April 26 at 11:40 a.m.
Big Sandy Schools would like to thank the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) through their Clean School Bus Program and CDPHE (Colorado Department of Health and Environment) through their Electric School Bus Grant Program for their sizeable funding of this project! Big Sandy Schools also thanks Mountain View Electric and Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, Inc. for their donation and partnership with us.
According to Steve Wilson, the Superintendent of Big Sandy School District, “our goal is to set the school district up for the future.” With the installation of two InCharge Energy ICE-120 chargers (supporting three Electric IC School Buses supplied by Navistar dealership McCandless Truck Center), Big Sandy can realistically achieve that goal. The Big Sandy School District in Simla, Colorado is one of the first school districts to have electric vehicles in the Colorado Springs area, and Big Sandy is pioneering the transition to an electric school bus fleet with this strategic decision.
“Electric school buses provide many health benefits and long-term savings for local communities and students,” said Michael Ogletree, director of the Air Pollution Control Division at CDPHE. “From reducing air pollution that is especially harmful for children and older residents, to reducing fuel and maintenance costs, electric school buses are an investment that pays off for years to come. CDPHE is proud to support future-focused leaders like the Big Sandy School District, and will continue to fund more schools through its Colorado Electric School Bus Grant Program. These innovative investments ensure local Colorado communities enjoy cleaner air, clearer skies, and a healthy environment.”
Chris McBroom, General Manager of McCandless Truck and Bus Center in Colorado Springs has had a longstanding relationship with Big Sandy Schools for over 10 years and was not only instrumental in supplying these 3 new EV buses, but he and his team assisted with everything from planning and infrastructure to charging stations, making it a truly turnkey operation. “McCandless Bus Center is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Big Sandy Schools on the deployment of zero-emissions buses into their fleet. From initial consulting to planning and execution, we are proud to be able to take part in helping create a safe and greener future for student transportation.” McCandless Truck Center is a family-owned and operated International Truck and IC Bus dealership group serving Colorado and its communities for over 20 years. Learn more about available services and product offerings, or find the McCandless location nearest you at www.mctrux.com
Carrie Guy, Sarah Pinkerton, Jon Tyra, Michelle Pastor, and Rick Gordon from Mountain View Electric, along with Tri-State Generation & Transmission have been important partners with the Big Sandy School District in bringing this project to fruition and providing energy efficient rebates.
“I am honored to celebrate alongside Big Sandy School as they receive their first electric school buses, a major step forward for clean air in our community. Clean School Bus rebates are helping school districts across the country purchase zero-polluting electric school buses so we can phase-out traditional diesel-powered buses,” said Laurie Anderson, Colorado Field Organizer-Moms Clean Air Force. “This transition to electric school buses will improve the air quality for thousands of children riding hundreds of school buses today, as well as for generations to come—and Big Sandy School is leading the way for Colorado and the nation.”
Big Sandy School District is a rural school district in eastern Colorado serving 330 students within 550 square miles in Elbert and El Paso counties including the towns of Simla, Ramah and Matheson.
CDPHE serves Coloradans by providing services to promote healthy people in healthy places. CDPHE uses evidence-based practices to foster a sustainable environment for current and future generations of Coloradans to thrive. CDPHE pursues its mission through multiple programs and activities to advance Coloradans’ health and wellness and protect the state’s environment. Visit CDPHE’s website to learn more.
