2023-Sierran-digital - Flipbook - Page 3
Massachusetts Must Invest in Electric School Buses
By Daniel McCarthy
Every year, 8,000 school buses transport over
400,000 Massachusetts students to school. These
diesel powered school buses create air pollution that
contributes to climate change and negatively impacts
public health. Transitioning to electric school buses
would help achieve our emissions reduction goals
and improve air quality for communities that are
overburdened with vehicle pollution. Pollution from
diesel school buses impacts the health of children the
most, who are exposed to harmful particulates with
every ride. With a narrowing window to combat climate
change and the technology ready for transition, now is
the time to electrify school bus 昀氀eets.
to identify a procurement schedule for new buses,
establish infrastructure needs and coordinate with
their utilities. A statewide mandate for school bus
electri昀椀cation will also facilitate coordination with
private school bus service providers, with established
timelines to allow all partners to plan for this transition.
Massachusetts is behind other states on this issue
and we must take action now. Connecticut has a 2040
target for 100% zero-emission school buses (https://
bit.ly/40uksNg). New York has mandated that all new
school bus purchases must be electric starting in 2027,
and the entire 昀氀eet must be electric by 2035, while
allocating $500 million in support funding (https://bit.
ly/3FS3MpI). New Jersey has allocated $45 million in
grant funding over three years (https://bit.ly/47pvYMo).
Here is how you can take action: Reach out to your
Mayor and City Councilors and urge them to sign our
letter calling on Governor Healey to provide funding
support and establish a 2035 timeline for electri昀椀cation.
You can 昀椀nd our sign on letter at http://bit.ly/schoolbus-letter.
Want to get more actively involved? Reach out to dan.
mccarthy@sierraclub.org to join our Transportation
Action Team and support our school bus electri昀椀cation
campaign. Together through our grassroots advocacy
and the support from municipal leaders, we can move
the Commonwealth to invest in a cleaner, greener
future where every student has a safe ride to school.
Photo: Brian Foulds, Concord-Carlisle Regional School
District, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
School districts are interested in electri昀椀cation,
but federal and state funding has not been able to
meet demand in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts
alone, forty-seven school districts applied for the
昀椀rst round of funding from the EPA’s Clean School
Bus Program, but only 昀椀ve schools received grants
(https://bit.ly/3u3Pm2V). Some school districts like
Boston, Beverly, Quincy, and Arlington have begun
electrifying their 昀氀eets, but smaller schools with fewer
resources will need support and guidance to begin
their transition. Additionally, school districts will need
technical and planning support to transition their 昀氀eets,
especially with the integration of new infrastructure
and any utility upgrades.
In order to address these issues, we are asking the
Governor to provide additional funding support and
establish a 2035 timeline for school bus electri昀椀cation.
This timeline will provide school districts with time
Power in Volunteer Strength
The Massachusetts Chapter is looking for a wide
range of volunteers to help build our in昀氀uence,
working on issues that span environmental, racial,
housing, and transit justice; for indigenous rights,
immigrant rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights,
labor rights, and so much more. Volunteers:
• Virtually lead meetings, fundraisers, trainings,
etc.
• Testify on legislation at the MA State House
• Write articles and blog posts
• Work for Sierra Club’s endorsed candidates
• Give presentations on environmental and
energy issues
• Act as a Sierra Club liaison in coalitions
The Sierra Club relies on the enthusiasm, energy, and
ideas of our member-volunteers: that’s you! Learn
more about current volunteer opportunities with the
Chapter by visiting bit.ly/3DOoCEN, or sign up for a
one-on-one conversation with a member of our team
at sc.org/massvolunteer!
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