Driving Arizona’s future toward cleaner air: Electric school bus funding at risk

Ylenia Aguilar

Submitted photo

Every day, the health of thousands of Arizona children is at risk when they inhale toxic pollution from diesel-powered school buses. Diesel exhaust is linked to asthma, impaired lung development and even cancer.

As a mother of a child who suffers from asthma, I’ve seen firsthand how environmental factors can trigger his symptoms — high ozone levels, wildfire smoke and extreme heat. Each breath he takes is a reminder of why this fight is so personal. This sobering reality fuels my work as the Southwest field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force, where I advocate for solutions that protect our children’s well-being.

One of the most promising solutions is the shift to electric school buses. Thanks to the Clean School Bus Program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Arizona has made historic strides in reducing pollution and safeguarding the health of children, school staff and entire communities.

However, this progress is now at risk. Unelected billionaires are pushing policies that threaten to pause the payout of critical funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the IIJA. These programs have been key in Arizona’s economic and environmental progress.

Their rollback would undo years of progress toward a cleaner, healthier future, costing Arizona school districts over $8 million in federal funding and stripping resources from the communities that need them most. This is not just an environmental issue but an economic and public health crisis in the making.

Why electric school buses matter for Arizona

Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of diesel pollution. Their lungs and hearts are still developing, which makes them more sensitive to toxic air. A diesel bus is essentially a rolling pollution factory — while it carries our children to school, it’s also pumping out pollutants that contribute to respiratory diseases like asthma. In fact, research has shown that the air inside a diesel-powered school bus can be more polluted than the air outside.

Electric school buses are a game-changer. Since they run on battery power, they do not produce tailpipe emissions. This eliminates the toxic particles and gases released by diesel buses, providing a healthier environment for children, especially those in areas with poor air quality or heavy traffic.

Environmental and economic benefits

In addition to improving health outcomes, electric school buses also help combat climate impacts. Diesel buses contribute to harmful greenhouse gas emissions. In a state already grappling with rising temperatures , Arizona’s commitment to climate action is crucial. Even if charged with fossil fuel-generated electricity, an electric school bus emits significantly less greenhouse gas than a diesel bus, thanks to its efficiency and the potential to charge with renewable energy.

Transitioning to electric school buses also makes economic sense. While electric buses are a larger investment upfront than their diesel counterparts, they are far more cost-effective in the long run. Electric buses cost up to 60% less to operate and maintain. As production scales up and costs continue to decline, more districts across the state will be able to make the switch.

Arizona school districts have made progress, with over 200 electric school buses purchased since 2022 through IIJA funding. These buses improve air quality and public health, but funding threats put their future and Arizona’s clean energy gains at risk.

Additionally, the transition to electric buses supports Arizona’s growing clean energy infrastructure and workforce development. More than 70% of voters in Arizona agree that clean energy policies are crucial for the state’s future, with a majority supporting zero-emission transportation solutions like electric buses. And thanks to these policies, over 18,703 good-paying jobs and $12.75 billion in clean energy projects have been created. Eliminating this funding could stall progress and cost Arizona jobs and put livelihoods at greater risk.

The path forward: A clean bus for every child

This isn’t just about cleaner air today — it’s about creating healthier, more sustainable communities for tomorrow. By transitioning our aging school bus fleet to electric vehicles, Arizona is safeguarding the health of our children while taking an important step in addressing climate challenges. Electric school buses are already rolling across the state, but we need to keep the momentum going.

Arizona’s leadership must stand firm against these threats, continue investing in clean energy, and fight for the funding necessary to ensure every school district can switch to clean transportation. If we don’t act, we risk losing vital resources that protect our children’s health and Arizona’s future.

To get involved in a cleaner and healthier Arizona or to learn more about clean school buses, visit momscleanairforce.org.

Editor’s note: Editor’s note: Ylenia Aguilar is Southwest field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force. The mother of two also serves on the Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board and the Vitalyst Health Foundation Board. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.