On Friday, officials including Vice President Kamala Harris and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Jamie Parker gathered at Meridian High School in Falls Church, Virginia, to unveil the first $500 million of a $5 billion initiative aimed at replacing diesel school buses with low and zero-emissions alternatives. This initiative is expected to enhance air quality for millions of American children, especially those in underserved communities. “Investing in cleaner transportation will lead to healthier air for the 25 million students who rely on school buses,” Parker stated in an EPA release.
Currently, 95% of the nation’s 480,000 school buses run on diesel, contributing to significant greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, which can worsen asthma and other health issues among children. Diesel emissions also contain benzene, a harmful carcinogen. Notably, pollution levels inside buses can be up to ten times greater than outside, particularly during idling periods, such as morning drop-offs and afternoon pickups.
With transportation being a major source of carbon emissions in the U.S., this initiative not only aims to improve the health of children but also contributes to broader efforts against air pollution and climate change. Of the allocated funds, $2.5 billion will be directed towards acquiring about 11,000 new electric buses, while the remaining amount will fund the purchase of low-emissions vehicles. The EPA plans to prioritize funding for urban and rural underserved districts, as well as Tribal schools.
Initially, President Biden proposed $174 billion in his Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan to support the electric vehicle market, aiming to replace 96,000 diesel buses, about 20% of the total fleet. Even though the current $5 billion investment is modest compared to that original goal, it marks a significant step towards cleaner school transportation. “Our children deserve to breathe clean air on their way to school. This funding is a crucial step towards ensuring future generations enjoy pollution-free commutes,” commented House Energy and Commerce Environment and Climate Subcommittee Chairwoman Lisa Jordan.
School districts have until August 19th to apply for this initial round of funding. For those looking for more information on related topics, check out our other blog post here. If you want to dive deeper into fertility treatments, UCSF’s resource on IVF is a great place to start. Additionally, for authoritative insights, visit Intracervical Insemination.
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In summary, the Biden administration’s investment in electric and low-emission school buses represents a significant commitment to improving air quality for children and reducing the environmental impact of school transportation. With applications open for districts until August, this funding could pave the way for a healthier future for millions of students across the nation.