On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $16.5 million Clean School Bus grant for Fairfax County Public Schools. This grant will help Fairfax transition to cleaner transportation, and will fund 42 electric buses cutting down on carbon emissions. The initiative is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which focuses on delivering benefits to disadvantaged communities.
The Clean School Bus Program will phase out older diesel buses and switch to cleaner and more renewable energy. Electric buses have many benefits, including cleaner air, reduced health risks, especially for kids with conditions, and reduced greenhouse emissions. The buses also save on maintenance and feel costs.
This program has given grants not only to Fairfax but also to many other communities that are disproportionately affected across the United States. The side effects that come with diesel buses, like air pollution, are often linked to asthma and other conditions that harm a student’s health. Switching to cleaner buses helps communities that are disproportionately affected by the harm that comes with ordinary buses as well. Overall, this change is a great step in using more renewable energy and creating sustainability within our education systems.
EcoTomorrow 