Clean School Bus Act proposes acceleration of national school bus fleet electrification

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Schools districts could be encouraged to replace traditional diesel-based school buses with new, electric buses under a bill known as the Clean School Bus Act of 2019, recently introduced in the U.S. Senate.

The bill was introduced by U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.). It is inspired by the ongoing effects of climate change and seeks to mitigate the damage done both to the world and to people’s exposure to pollutants expelled by diesel buses. Among riders this is especially dangerous, the writers say, for those already affected by asthma and other respiratory conditions.

“Our children and our communities have a right to breathe clean air,” National Director of Chispa Fernando Cazáres said. “Research has shown that exposure to toxic diesel emissions results in respiratory illnesses, particularly among school children for whom asthma attacks are a leading cause of absenteeism. The proposed legislation would reduce pollution in low-income communities, most-impacted, and communities of color first. It is exactly the kind of leadership we need from lawmakers at the state and federal levels right now.”

Currently, school buses account for around 90 percent of the nation’s bus fleet. Changes could, therefore, make for major emissions reduction. To do this, the Clean School Bus Act proposes provided up to $2 million in grants for the replacement of diesel school buses, investments in charging infrastructure and the support of workforce development. It would also establish areas that serve lower-income students as a priority for these funds and target the most polluting buses. A further $1 billion would be authorized by the Department of Energy over the course of five years to fund a Clean School Bus Grant program.

“To clean up our air and address climate change, we have to electrify our transportation system as quickly as possible,” said Sam Landenwitsch, U.S. PIRG Transportation Program chair and senior vice president of The Public Interest Network. “And given that air pollution has disproportionate health effects on children, there is no better place to kickstart that transition than with school buses. The Clean School Bus Act will help school districts get the resources they need to ensure that every child has healthy air to breathe and a safe ride to school.”

The effort is being supported by the American Lung Association, California Association of School Transportation Officials, Chispa – Clean Buses for Healthy Niños, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Green for All, Hispanic Access Foundation, League of Conservation Voters, National Resources Defense Council, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, South Coast Air Quality Management District and U.S. Public Interest Research Group.