Electric bus funding freeze sparks chaos

Hundreds of school districts across the U.S. are facing uncertainty as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has frozen funding for electric buses, part of President Biden’s infrastructure law. John Wiles, director of transportation for Shawnee Public Schools in Oklahoma, expressed concern, commenting: “Our district made this investment in good faith, expecting the promised rebate to be delivered in a timely manner.” Over 500 districts are waiting for approximately $1bn to cover more than 3,400 electric buses, leading to potential delays or cancellations of purchases. The freeze has raised alarms among school administrators and bus manufacturers, with Sen. Ed Markey emphasizing the importance of this funding for reducing air pollution and protecting children’s health. The Clean School Bus Program, which allocated $5bn over five years, is now in jeopardy, affecting districts nationwide.