Soto Hosts U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe in Central Florida

KISSIMMEE, FL — Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) hosted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe in Central Florida to highlight federally funded projects across the region thanks to the Infrastructure Law and other initiatives. 

They hosted a roundtable at Buenaventura Lakes Library with local stakeholders to discuss water infrastructure projects funded by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA), and the Infrastructure Law, along with other vital projects seeking funding. These projects include supporting our local water supply, flood control, and restoration of Big Lake Toho, Shingle Creek, Kissimmee River, and Lake Runnymede. Watch the livestream here.

Afterward, they visited Meadow Woods Middle School, where they interacted with students to discuss the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program funded by the Infrastructure Law. They highlighted the EPA’s recent announcement that Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) secured a $5 million grant to purchase 20 new electric school buses. Congressman Soto and EPA Deputy Administrator McCabe engaged with students and took a brief ride aboard an electric school bus to highlight innovative strides toward a greener future.

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“We were honored to host EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe in Central Florida to discuss all the great work we are doing together. Recognizing the crucial role of water infrastructure in our state, it's essential that we focus on investing in flood control measures to brace for hurricane seasons, preserve our scenic lakes, and guarantee access to clean drinking water for every resident in Central Florida.” said Congressman Darren Soto.“It was also great to be able to talk with students at Meadow Woods Middle School about EPA’s commitment to fostering a greener future. Recognizing that young people are the leaders of tomorrow, it's crucial to demonstrate our dedication to a cleaner environment. And what better way to illustrate this than by joining them on a journey aboard an electric bus!”

“Every school day, 25 million children ride our nation’s largest form of mass transit: the school bus. The vast majority of those buses run on diesel, exposing students, teachers, and bus drivers to toxic air pollution. At EPA we are accelerating the transition to electric and low-emission school buses in America, helping to secure a healthier future where all our children can breathe cleaner air,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Soto, President Biden secured historic investments in America to fund thousands more clean electric school buses in school districts across the country, saving school districts money and improving air quality at the same time.” 

Earlier this month, Rep. Soto voted to deliver $13,728,031 in Community Funding Projects for Florida’s Ninth Congressional District in the 2024 spending bills, and over $5 million went towards water infrastructure projects. 

In January, EPA announced that Orange County Public Schools will receive $5 million from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program to purchase 20 electric school buses. The Clean School Bus Program was established under President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Law and will deliver $5 billion over five years to replace school buses across the country with low- to zero-emission models. In September of last year, Rep. Soto wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in support of this grant award. For the 2023-2024 funding period, OCPS was one of 67 applicants awarded in the country and one of five in the state of Florida. They operate the largest transportation department in Central Florida with more than 700 buses on the roads daily, more than 540 routes operated, and approximately 58,000 students served annually.

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