Press Mention Tallahassee Democrat June 6, 2024
SACE Quoted
Jefferson County Schools selected by the EPA to buy new electric school buses
In this mention
Jefferson County Schools in Florida was selected by the EPA to receive funding from the Clean School Bus Rebate Program to purchase electric buses. Dory Larsen, senior electric transportation program manager with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, highlighted how the program benefits school districts with lower costs and creates a healthier environment for students by reducing diesel pollution linked to lower academic performance and attendance.
These districts were selected because they raised their hand and said, 'we want these buses.' They recognize that they are definitely better for students. Diesel pollution has been linked to lower academic performance and lower attendance so there are very strong reasons why school districts would want to electrify buses.
Dory Larsen
Original clipping
PDF didn't open? Open it in a new tab →
Full transcript
Jefferson County Schools selected by the EPA to buy new electric school buses
Alaijah Cross
Tallahassee Democrat
June 7, 2024, 5:09 a.m. ET
Laughing with friends on the leather seat of a big yellow school bus is a tradition passed through generations of students, but a daunting statistic overshadows the fond memories.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, diesel exhaust from traditional school buses can be harmful to respiratory systems, especially young children who are still developing healthy lungs. Pollutants from the fuel can aggravate asthma and allergies, and even cause bronchitis.
To combat respiratory illnesses in young students and reduce diesel pollution, the agency announced May 29, its latest round of funding for the Clean School Bus Rebate Program to fund over 3,400 new clean school buses in 530 districts across the nation.
Florida was awarded $30.4 million to purchase 98 electric buses for six school districts: Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Miami-Dade and Polk.
According to Leon County Schools spokesperson Chris Petley, the district did not apply for the grant since they do not plan on purchasing electric buses.
The program is designed to accelerate the transition to zero emissions vehicles, especially in marginalized communities where the effects of pollution can be extremely adverse. The school districts awarded were selected from a lottery drawing system.
The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy promotes responsible and equitable energy choices to ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast.
Dory Larsen, the senior electric transportation program manager with thee alliance, said the award benefits school districts with lower costs, and by fostering a healthier environment for students.
"These districts were selected because they raised their hand and said, 'we want these buses.' They recognize that they are definitely better for students," Larsen told the Tallahassee Democrat. "Diesel pollution has been linked to lower academic performance and lower attendance so there are very strong reasons why school districts would want to electrify buses."
Larsen said the average cost of an electric bus is $345,000, which will be reimbursed by the EPA through the program, and they won't cost much for maintenance. The buses will look like traditional buses, but under the hood things will seem a bit different since they are battery powered.
Jefferson County Schools transportation director Jamaris Wilson said no decisions on the award have been made since it was recently announced. The school district currently has nine buses in operation, and it remains undecided how many will be replaced.
Leon County Schools has 157 buses, none of which are electric, only diesel and compressed natural gas fueled.
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com . Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3