VP Harris heads back to DC, says $5b will be invested in electric school buses

Vice President Kamala Harris is headed back to Washington, DC after a short trip to Seattle.

She spoke Wednesday at an event highlighting the government’s investment in clean school buses.

“Who doesn’t love a yellow school bus? It’s part of a nostalgia of going to school,” Harris said. The vice president said that the government is investing $5 billion over the next five years to introduce electric buses to schools across the country.

“Yellow school buses are the largest form of mass transportation in the country,” Harris explained. “We owe it to our children to take (environmental) issues seriously. We are witnessing the effects of climate change.”

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Harris told the gathering at Lumen Field this is just one part of the administration’s effort to “save the planet.”

Washington state will get seven of those new school buses.

According to a news release from the EPA, today’s announcement includes funding for buses and infrastructure for districts in Langley, Easton, Toppenish, and Pomeroy.

• South Whidbey School District will receive $395,000 for one electric school bus.
• Easton School District will receive $790,000 for two electric school buses.
• Toppenish School District will receive $1,185,000 for three electric school buses.
• Pomeroy School District will receive $395,000 for one electric school bus.

“What we are announcing today is a step forward to reduce green house effects, to invest in our children, and to invest in jobs,” Harris said.

“Building new, clean electric buses and getting them on our roads is good for our kids, our economy, and our planet,” said Sen. Senator Patty, who was at the event. “That’s why for months, I pushed to pass my Clean School Bus Act. Because this is just one way we boost an economy-wide transition to clean energy. We’ll be making these clean buses here in America, creating good-paying jobs—all while promoting clean air and better health outcomes for our kids. It’s a win-win-win.”

EPA Administrator Michael Regan Michael Regan joined Harris. Regan said in a statement the bus program “is accelerating our nation’s transition to electric and low-emission school buses while ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our children.”

The Associated Press reports the Biden administration is making the grants available as part of a wider effort to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and reduce air pollution near schools and communities.

The White House said the new, primarily electric school buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money and better protect children’s health.

Only about 5% of all school buses are electric.

The vice president also attended a private fundraising event for Sen. Murray. She’s in a contentious race to keep her senate seat with challenger Tiffany Smiley.

Harris left Seattle around 2:15 p.m. from King County International Airport.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.