renew funding for electric school buses in Minnesota.

 

The purpose of this bill is to decrease carbon and diesel emissions by replacing Minnesota’s diesel school buses with

electric school buses. It aims to promote and protect the health of Minnesota’s students, school bus drivers, and

communities. Since the current bill that funds electric school buses is only offering grants for electric school buses

every year until the end of 2026 or until funds run out, this bill proposes that that time period be extended.

 

Non-electric school buses expel carbon and diesel emissions that contribute to climate change, negatively impacting our

communities and environment. Individuals that are exposed to diesel emissions are vulnerable to asthma and lung

diseases, and children, as individuals that are consistently exposed and have developing lungs, are particularly

vulnerable. Electric school buses don’t produce these gases, and, therefore, would be a safer and healthier option.

Electric school buses already exist in Minnesota, and have been effective thus far keeping individuals safe and warm.

Additionally, electric school buses are cheaper long term than non-electric school buses as they cost less to operate

and maintain. By continuing to offer schools the grants necessary to utilize electric buses, both Minnesota’s students

and environment would benefit.

 

electric school bus shall be defined as an electric vehicle that is a school bus

non-electric school buses shall be defined as school buses that typically run on diesel

carbon emissions shall be defined as carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere

diesel emissions shall be defined as pollutants released from diesel engines

asthma shall be defined as a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation

 

Funding will be procured through the renewable development account as established under Minnesota Statute 116C.779.

 

This bill does not require enforcement.

 

This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.