EPA announces $5 billion for electric school buses

Gina Goldenberg

Former Creative Associate, Editorial & Creative Team, The Public Interest Network

A new program will make the daily bus ride healthier for many school children.

On May 20, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $5 billion Clean School Bus Program, which will help school districts replace polluting diesel buses with clean electric ones. The EPA will award up to $500 million this year to cover the cost of new electric buses, with another $4.5 billion available over the next four years.

“Getting to school shouldn’t include a daily dose of toxic pollution,” said Matt Casale, PIRG Environment Campaigns Director. “And we shouldn’t continue to use dirty diesel buses when they are making the climate crisis worse.”

The nation’s current fleet of 450,000 school buses primarily run on diesel fuel. As described in several PIRG reports, diesel exhaust has been linked to respiratory illness, cancer and other serious health risks. PIRG is advocating at the federal, state and local levels for a shift to clean, electric public transportation.

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Photo: Matt Casale advocates for electric buses at a MASSPIRG press event. Credit: Athel Rogers

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Gina Goldenberg

Former Creative Associate, Editorial & Creative Team, The Public Interest Network

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