Every day, thousands of Florida children ride school buses that run on dirty diesel engines. Pollution from diesel buses makes climate change worse. It can also cause asthma attacks and cancer. Diesel-powered school buses don’t just pollute the outdoors—diesel pollution can get trapped inside the school bus, meaning children may be breathing in harmful fumes each time they ride the bus to and from school.
In April, EPA opened applications for its Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Grant Program. The program will accelerate environmental justice efforts in communities overburdened by pollution, help tackle our biggest climate challenges, and create high-quality clean energy jobs. Seventy percent of the funds are allocated to replacing diesel school buses with zero-emission electric ones.
Take 2 minutes to call your Florida school district to urge them to apply for Clean Heavy-Duty Program funding.
Step 1: Find the phone number for your school district superintendent HERE.
Step 2: Make a quick call to the superintendent, using the following call script:
“Hello. My name is XX, and I live in XX school district. I’m reaching out today to ask our district to apply for the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Grant Program for new electric school buses.
Electric school buses offer not only substantial cost benefits, but also significant health benefits to our students, drivers, neighborhoods, and environment.
As a parent in this school district who cares about the health of all our children, I urge you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to create a cleaner, healthier environment for our students and community.”
Step 3: Email Emily Pickett to let us know you made the call.
That’s all there is to it! Thank you for taking action in Florida!
Learn more about EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program HERE.