Electric School Bus Advocates Welcome Re-Introduction of the Clean School Bus Act in Congress as First Step

Today, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), and Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) reintroduced the Clean School Bus Act in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. Electric school buses advocates — who are part of the national Electric School Bus (ESB) Coalition, a diverse partnership of civil society organizations representing equity, labor, public health, clean energy, and environmental organizations — issued the following statements:

Johana Vicente, National Director of Chispa, a community organizing program of the League of Conservation Voters, said: “We thank Senators Cortez Masto and Murray and Representatives Hayes and Cárdenas for leading this effort to help school districts upgrade from diesel-fueled school buses to zero-emission school buses. This is a strong down payment on our way to reaching full electrification of the nation’s school bus fleet. We know that we need so much more to ensure that 25 million children, especially in communitiesof color and low-income communities, are breathing healthy air on their way to school and in their neighborhoods. We look forward to working together to boost funding to accelerate the transition of the U.S. polluting school bus fleet to zero emissions.”

Susan Mudd, Senior Policy Advocate, Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC), said: “We look forward to kids getting back to school. The 25 million U.S. children who ride on school buses every day deserve a clean, healthy ride instead of breathing asthma-inducing fumes from dirty diesel buses. We need to replace the dirty diesel fleet with zero-emission electric buses that protect students’ health, their communities, and the climate. We welcome the Clean School Bus Act, which will help support the transition to pollution-free electric buses across the Midwest and the country.”

Athena Motavvef, Associate Legislative Representative with Earthjustice, said: “Electrifying our nation’s school bus fleet is an important step towards reaching our goal of zero emissions and 100% clean energy. The Clean School Bus Act puts us on the path to eliminating the diesel emissions too many children breathe, and protects our local air and climate. We are thankful for Senator Cortez Masto, Senator Murray, and Representative Hayes’ and Representative Cárdenas’ leadership on this important effort and look forward to working with them to ensure a zero-emissions future for future generations.”

Michelle Romero, National Director of Dream Corps Green For All, said: “Electric school buses have zero tailpipe emissions, toxins, and carcinogens known to cause asthma and cancer, which means our kids can breathe easier. The Clean School Bus Act is an important step to put our kids on buses going forward toward a clean energy future that is safer and healthier for both kids and communities as schools reopen for in-person learning.”

Ethan Evans, Campaign Associate at U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG), said: “Getting to school shouldn’t include a daily dose of toxic pollution or contribute to our warming climate. We’re grateful to Senator Cortez Masto, Senator Murray, Representative Hayes, and Representative Cardenas for putting childrens’ health first and championing electric school buses. The Clean School Bus Act will help tackle the existential threat of climate change, clean up our air and accelerate the process towards a zero-emission future.”