Clean Commute for Kids Act of 2021

The Clean Commute for Kids Act was introduced into Congress. House sponsors are U.S. Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA). Senate sponsors are Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkely (D-OR).In addition the Senate bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).

The bill is here.

The bill would authorize $25 billion over the next 10 years for the EPA, with assistance from the Department of Energy, to provide grants to replace existing buses with clean, zero-emission buses -- 40 percent of this funding would go toward replacing school buses serving environmental justice communities.

Funding awarded to school districts may cover up to 100 percent of the replacement costs of zero-emission buses, including acquisition and labor costs for charging infrastructure, workforce development and training, and planning and technical activity costs. This bill also directs the EPA to develop an outreach program to assist school districts in transitioning school bus fleets.