House Energy committee considers electric bus grants – Pennsylvania

(The Center Square) – Since 2022, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has administered the Clean School Bus Program, an initiative that provides schools rebates and grants toward replacing diesel engine buses with electric ones.

With uncertainty about the future of that program under the current administration, some Pennsylvania lawmakers would like to see the state take up the mantle of providing funding for the change.

Despite enthusiastic endorsements from schools that have added electric buses to their fleets, it is not a plan that has garnered widespread support in the House. Legislators are divided between those prepared to pursue every possible measure to address the dual climate and energy crises and those who see green spending projects as government handouts for an unproven industry.

“I am always interested in creative solutions to energy problems, and electric school buses can solve a lot at once, helping schools cut costs and making our air cleaner at the same time,” said state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, majority chairwoman of the House Energy committee. “This grant program could be transformative for schools.”

The benefits of electric buses? The cleaner, quieter rides are better for children’s health. They do not produce environmentally damaging carbon emissions. They have fewer moving parts requiring less maintenance. Running electric vehicles is much cheaper than spending on fuel. Additionally, the batteries in electric buses can be used to store energy and help stabilize the grid by using bidirectional chargers.

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The downsides? Electric buses are much more expensive up front, with costs in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. In addition to the cost of the bus, infrastructure updates must be made to provide charging stations. Critics also worry that charging the buses will create additional strain on the state’s energy grid, which is poised to take on massive new burdens with the build-up of new data centers.

The bill would set up a fund within the state to provide school districts with grants for taking on these expenses. The bill aims to prioritize low-income districts which may not otherwise afford to make the switch and areas where environmental quality already takes a toll on student health. Advocates say there are particular benefits to rural communities.

Rep. Dave Madsen, D-Steelton, has seen the impact of electric buses first hand. He represents Steelton-Highspire School District, which has adopted the buses for most day-to-day transportation.

“Investing in electric school buses is an investment in our students’ health,” said Madsen. “The grant program proposed in HB1539 helps districts replace aging fleets and lowers long-term operating costs. It also supports job growth by expanding charging infrastructure and strengthens transportation equity across Pennsylvania.”

Steelton is an urban district just south of Harrisburg with a long history of manufacturing. The district’s superintendent, Willie Slade, noted that its home to a higher than average rate of asthma among students. The switch to electric buses isn’t likely to reverse that, but it does remove one source of pollution from the equation.

Some committee members questioned the validity of claims that school bus riding was impactful to children’s health.

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“If children on the bus are being affected by diesel fumes, then I think we need to check the bus and make sure that its exhaust system is properly installed,” said Rep. Martin Causer, R-Bradford.

A 2002 report from the National Institute of Health demonstrated the intensity of diesel exhaust exposure on a school bus, particularly for children riding near the back and with windows closed. It found that, in addition to one to two hours of bus riding per day over 10 years increased the likelihood of children developing lung cancer in adulthood.

Another point of contention was the buses’ vehicle to grid capabilities, which allow the vehicles to provide power back into the grid in the event of a blackout or power shortage. Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Cheswick, described her own electric vehicle’s capacity to power her home for a few days in the event of one of the Pittsburgh area’s frequent weather-related blackouts.

“I have nothing against electric, but I know when the power goes out in my home, Rep. Steele, my natural gas whole home generator goes on, and I’ve got power that I can watch TV,” said Rep. Mike Arminini, R-Dubois. “Life does not change for me when there’s a blackout.”

Electric supporters were quick to point out that battery storage was not a total solution to the energy crisis but a potential source of revenue for vehicles putting electricity back into the grid.