The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun releasing funds for electric school buses after a Trump administration freeze on climate-related spending, but other grants remain on hold.
Brad Plumer reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- The EPA has unfrozen some funding for electric school buses, allowing school districts to access grants approved by Congress but blocked since January.
- The release affects the second round of a $5 billion federal program, but the third round and other climate-related grants remain uncertain.
- A federal judge ruled the Trump administration was unlawfully withholding funds, prompting some agencies to begin unblocking climate-related spending.
Why this matters:
Electric school buses cut pollution and protect children's health by reducing exposure to diesel exhaust, which is linked to asthma and other respiratory issues. Diesel-powered buses also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The pause on funding left school districts in limbo, forcing some to delay replacing aging vehicles or upgrading infrastructure. The uncertainty over remaining funds underscores the ongoing political struggle over climate policy, federal spending priorities, and the power of the executive branch.
Related: Electric school buses could reshape transportation for kids
