U.S. PIRG wants states to use funding from multi-billion dollar Volkswagen settlements to convert the nation's school bus fleet, 95% of which is diesel-powered, to zero-emission buses to reduce children's exposure to toxic air pollution.
The campaign, launched May 3 by the United States Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG), touts the public health and environmental benefits of converting the nation's 480,000 school vehicles to zero-emission buses. It coincides with the release of a new report, “Electric Buses: Clean Transportation for Healthier Neighborhoods and Cleaner Air" [pdf], by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, Environment America Research & Policy Center, and the Frontier Group.
Approximately 95 percent of U.S. school buses run on diesel, even though numerous studies have shown that inhaling diesel exhaust can cause respiratory diseases and worsen existing conditions such as asthma. The negative effects are especially pronounced in children.
The good news is that all-electric buses are available and ready to roll, and they’re cleaner, healthier and often cheaper for school districts and bus contractors to run in the long-term. And with zero tailpipe emissions, electric school buses can significantly reduce our kids’ exposure to toxic fumes.
Figure ES-1. Estimated Annual Operating Costs of Transit Buses, by Fuel Type
Courtesy of U.S. PIRG
Currently there are pilot programs run by California (Los Angeles County and Gilroy), Massachusetts and Minnesota to test zero-emission school buses. They may involve the conversion of diesel buses as well as purchasing new ones.
One source of funding stems from the $14.7 billion settlement, as well as subsequent settlements in the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, first exposed in September 2015 by West Virginia University researchers.
"The VW Environmental Mitigation Trust [stemming from the Volkswagen Clean Air Act Civil Settlement] will provide states with a total of $2.9 billion for projects to cut nitrogen oxide from large vehicles, including school buses," reports Thomas McMahon for the School Bus Fleet blog on April 25. However, school districts will have lots of competition for these funds from transit buses, trucks and other commercial applications ranging from forklifts to port cargo handling equipment.
The report also looked at the environmental benefits of converting the nation's 70,000 transit buses to battery-electric. More than 60 percent run on diesel, 18 percent on natural gas, while just 0.2 percent of buses are all-electric.
Hat tip to AASHTO Journal.
FULL STORY: Electric Buses: Clean Transportation for Healthier Neighborhoods and Cleaner Air
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.