Page 8 - spaces4learning, Summer 2022

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MAKING THE SWITCH
How School Districts Can Use Unprecedented Federal Funding to Transition to Electric Buses
By Gilbert Rosas
AMID ECONOMIC CONCERNS LIKE RISING GAS prices and inflation impacting American communities and resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is bringing a bright spot to school districts across the country. The agency recently announced a new $5 billion fund, available immediately, to purchase clean school bus fleets
to school, districts must prepare their electrical infrastructure for the increased load, choose and position a mix of charging stations, and plan routes that optimize the buses’ driving ranges. Districts must also consider how to power the clean vehicles. For example, by incorporating onsite renewable energy, such as solar, and combining it with battery storage, schools can minimize utility costs and keep the fleet’s footprint low carbon from start to finish.
To capitalize on the unprecedented federal funding to go electric, Modesto City Schools has made the nation's single largest Blue Bird electric school bus order to date. And in tandem with this historic fleet transition, the district has embarked on a much larger energy and sustainability plan.
Consider Bus Fleets as Part of
a Larger Energy Management and Sustainability Plan
Modesto City Schools is the 25th-largest district in California, serving approximately 30,000 students across 34 schools. With an overarching strategic plan to reduce environmental pollut- ants for the community, shift from a reliance on diesel fuel and conserve energy, the district chose a switch to clean school buses as an impactful first project to address its sustainability objectives.
As part of a comprehensive infrastructure project, the district purchased 30 new electric buses. But the buses alone were only a single step in the process. The supporting infrastructure— including the components and software to generate, store and balance electricity in the charging infrastructure—and other energy-saving, sustainable campus features were scoped into the modernization project. Overall, the project will install about 800 kWp of solar canopies, the charging infrastructure, and 30 EV charging stations, as well as help bring enhanced STEAM learning programs to the district, including six state-of-the-
and lessen reliance on diesel fuel. The fund is part of the EPA’s 2022 Clean School Bus Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low- emission models. By tapping into this funding, districts can replace old buses, reduce maintenance costs, improve air quality and commit to sustainability goals.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL OF AMERICA’S SCHOOLS TO CONSIDER MOVING TOWARD ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND MAKING COMMITMENTS THAT WILL IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY.
art Sustainable Outdoor Learning Environments (SOLEs).
This won’t all happen in one fell swoop. Instead, it takes a multi- phased approach that factors in securing leadership buy-in and ensures continuity within the school district while updates are being made. For Modesto City Schools, this means that the first install will be the charging infrastructure and solar canopies at the bus yard by the end of summer. Following that, construction of the six SOLEs will occur on campuses during the school year, and solar carports will be added
Yet, developing a fleet of EV
school buses comes with unique
challenges that require a larger,
more strategic plan around energy
management and sustainable upgrades. Modesto City Schools worked with energy and sustainability partner Schneider Electric to design a comprehensive approach to undertake the necessary improvements to implement a cleaner bus fleet.
to Davis High School next summer. The entire project will be completed at an accelerated pace to optimize long-term environmental and financial benefits.
This ambitious project is set to improve the health, environment and learning experience of students, staff and
Before the first students hop aboard their new electric ride
8 SUMMER 2022 | spaces4learning.com