Two Central Valley School Districts are receiving funding to transition their school buses to zero-emission and low-emission school buses.
Sen. Alex Padilla announced Monday that Kern High School District and Porterville Unified School District are among the recipients of the Clean School Bus Program Awards.
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The big picture: Part of the 2021 infrastructure bill, the Clean School Bus Program provides $5 billion over five years to transition school buses to zero-emission and low-emission buses, effectively replacing diesel powered buses with electric buses.
- California was awarded $88 million to purchase electric buses across the state.
- Kern High School District will have 39 buses transitioned, while Porterville Unified will have 35.
- Los Angeles Unified School District and San Diego Unified School District will also have buses transitioned.
What they’re saying: Padilla said in a statement that a successful school day starts with a diesel-free commute.
- “I’ve seen firsthand the harmful health and respiratory impacts polluted air from outdated buses can cause our children, having grown up riding diesel-powered school buses in Pacoima,” Padilla said. “Modernizing our bus system is a crucial investment in our children, our health, and our environment. That is why I championed the inclusion of the Clean School Bus Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is now helping California schools make the much-needed transition to electric bus fleets.”
