Representatives from Nevada Clean Energy Advocates Provide Comments on the Significance of the Award
As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting children and improving air quality, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency announced yesterday that Nevada is set to receive funding through
EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The $7.7 million award to the Nevada Clean
Energy Fund, made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help purchase
25 clean school buses in several school districts across Nevada. By accelerating the transition to low- and
zero-emission vehicles, this funding will improve air quality for children and their families, advance
environmental justice, boost the economy, and create good-paying jobs.
The following are quotes from local advocates on the impact this investment will have for Nevada:
“Despite being an essential tool for student transportation, diesel school buses emit pollution into
neighborhoods and pose a significant threat to children’s health. This historic funding opportunity from
the EPA will bring the benefits of clean transportation to school districts across Nevada, fostering
healthier, cleaner air in communities and mitigating dangerous climate pollution. This announcement is
a reflection of the positive impact that robust climate policies can achieve and addresses Nevada’s top
greenhouse gas emitter — transportation. We look forward to working with the Nevada Clean Energy
Fund to ensure that the benefits of clean energy and cost-savings reach schools in areas that need them
most.” Christi Cabrera-Georgeson, Deputy Director, Nevada Conservation League
“Nevada’s rural counties are some of the most impoverished and underserved areas of our state and are
often overlooked when it comes to projects like these. The Clean School Bus grant award is an example
of the Biden Administration’s commitment to ensure that all communities, particularly isolated and
economically disadvantaged ones, benefit from investment in our future and health. The delivery of
modern, energy efficient school buses is a great opportunity for our rural schools to replace dirty diesel
buses that spew health-harming exhaust into our communities.” Mercedes McKinley, Nevada Field
Organizer, Moms Clean Air Force
“Our kids are our future, and we should be doing everything in our power to ensure that the air they
breathe is clean and healthy. This investment by the Biden administration is a critical step in the right
direction to minimize the pollution caused by our nation’s largest mass transit system. Transitioning to
electric buses will help school districts save money, create more clean energy jobs, keep America’s kids
safer, and help us tackle the climate crisis.” Saumya Narechania, States Managing Director, Climate
Power
“This week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a nearly $8 million award to the Nevada Clean
Energy Fund to purchase 25 clean school buses under the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Grants
Competition. These zero-emitting clean school buses allow us to leave dirty diesel pollution in the rear-
view mirror and support Nevada’s growing clean energy economy. This means cleaner air and a brighter
future for children, teachers, and communities. The clean energy plan is working in Nevada, and I could
not be more excited to see these investments in the Silver State.” Ben Bryce, Senior Manager, State
Affairs, Southwest Region, Environmental Defense Fund.
“As the mother of an asthmatic child, I know how the black smoke of diesel pollution contaminates the
air our children breathe and worsens conditions like asthma. Our children deserve to breathe clean air,
and I’m one of many parents who want to see electric school buses at every school in Nevada
to reduce hospitalizations due to asthma. We congratulate the Nevada Clean Energy Fund on
winning this grant award, and thank the EPA Clean School Bus Program for bringing additional funding to
our state. Chispa Nevada will continue to work with school districts to ensure we provide a clean ride for
kids, and we look forward to seeing these buses circulating in our communities.” Areli Sanchez,
Promotora with Chispa Nevada.
“Asthma rates among Nevada’s children have been rising, in part, because of the harmful fumes and air
pollution being emitted by outdated, diesel school buses. These electric, zero-emission buses have
already been driving clean energy job growth and helping to clear the air in our urban communities. We
applaud Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto along with the Biden Administration for
recognizing this urgent need in rural Nevada and working to clean up transportation for our kids and
their families.” Jarrett Clark, communications director at For Our Future Nevada.
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