Switch to electric school buses will save kids’ health and money

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, May 3, 2023

As a former educator and volunteer with the Snohomish chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, I was pleased to see the guest commentary on the advantages of electric school buses by David Jones and Scott Meyer (“State’s climate investments should start with kids,” The Herald, April 19). The authors noted what researchers have long known;there is a relationship between diesel school buses, the health of asthmatic children, and weaker attendance due to health challenges.

While most school buses now run on diesel fuel that has lower sulfur emissions, problems with nitrogen oxides, particulates and volatile organic compounds continue to exacerbate respiratory problems and contribute to asthma, heart disease, and other health issues. The idling that buses do at bus stops and schools obviously contributes to the problem.

Frankly, children with asthma have enough challenges and don’t need to arrive at school sick. Yes, the conversion to electric buses is expensive, but the expense is recouped with the lower fuel costs (electricity) and minimized repairs.

Like other aspects of climate change, the people living in less economically advantaged areas take on a greater impact of diesel buses because poorer families are more likely to use school buses.

Perhaps school districts should consider the cost of lung damage and lost education when they calculate the expense of diesel vs. electric buses. If schools needed to compensate parents for health and education losses, the calculus would probably change. In the meantime, our legislators need to do the right thing and provide the funding to make the ride to school a non-toxic experience.

Mark Rohde

Snohomish