The United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded a grant to a Winston-Salem charter school for the purchase of an all-electric bus.
The grant is part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which aims to replace diesel-fueled buses across the country with electric or alternative-fuel vehicles. The latest round of funding will purchase more than 3,400 clean buses, one of which will go to The Arts Based School in Winston-Salem.
Charter Director Robin Hollis says she wants the school to be a role model for others in the area.
“I'm really hopeful that it provides an inspiration as sort of a roadmap for other folks to go, ‘Oh, yeah, we could do that.’ And certainly an inspiration for our students to feel like they are responsible for choices that they make and how they can take action to take care of our planet," Hollis said.
According to the EPA, diesel exhaust emissions are harmful to the environment and human health.
It's an issue that's important to Hollis, and local nonprofit Piedmont Environmental Alliance. The organization worked with The Arts Based School on the grant application process, and is committed to helping schools across North Carolina make the same transition to electric buses.
“As both an environmental advocate and a parent of two Arts Based School students, I am doubly proud today,” said Executive Director of Piedmont Environmental Alliance Jamie Maier in a press release. “All of our children and educators deserve the very best, especially when it comes to safe, healthy rides to and from school."
Hollis says she hopes to have the new electric school bus up and running by December.
Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.