$78 Million Awarded to Replace 286 Polluting School Buses with Cleaner Models – Fullerton Observer

Report on Zero-Emission School Bus Initiative and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) has approved a significant investment of up to $78.2 million to advance sustainable transportation. The project’s primary objective is to replace 286 older, high-polluting school buses with new zero-emission models and to establish the required charging infrastructure. This initiative will directly benefit 35 public school districts.

• Total Buses: 286
• Total Investment: Up to $78.2 million
• Timeline: Delivery and deployment are expected to begin in mid-2026.

Geographic Distribution and Community Impact

The new fleet of zero-emission buses will be distributed across four counties within the South Coast Air Basin, enhancing regional transport sustainability.

1. Los Angeles County: 124 buses
2. Riverside County: 60 buses
3. San Bernardino County: 52 buses
4. Orange County: 50 buses

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Contribution to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) & SDG 13 (Climate Action)

The project yields substantial environmental and health benefits, directly supporting global sustainability targets. By eliminating tailpipe emissions, the initiative makes a direct contribution to climate action and public health.

• The initiative supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by significantly improving air quality for students and the wider community.
• Annual emission reductions are projected to be:
  • 46.3 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx)
  • 3.5 tons of harmful particulate matter
• The transition to zero-emission vehicles is a critical measure for SDG 13 (Climate Action), mitigating the impact of public transportation on climate change.

Advancing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) & SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

A core component of this initiative is its focus on environmental justice and creating sustainable urban environments.

• The project strongly aligns with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring that over 87 percent of the new buses will serve overburdened communities, delivering cleaner air to those most affected by pollution.
• By upgrading public transport infrastructure and reducing pollution, the initiative helps build more inclusive, safe, and resilient urban areas, a key target of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Fostering SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) & SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The funding and implementation strategy underscores a commitment to clean energy infrastructure and collaborative action.

• The installation of supporting charging infrastructure promotes the transition to modern energy systems, which is central to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
• This initiative is a model for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), leveraging a multi-source funding approach that combines state, federal, and local resources. Key funding sources include:
  • The Carl Moyer Program
  • The CARE4Kids Program
  • Other state and local funds

Historical Context and Long-Term Programmatic Commitment

This funding is part of a long-term strategy by the South Coast AQMD to modernize school transportation. Since the launch of the Lower-Emission School Bus Program in 2001, the agency has demonstrated a sustained commitment to achieving clean air and sustainability goals.

• Total Program Investment Since 2001: Nearly $372 million
• Program Achievements to Date:
  • Over 1,900 diesel school buses replaced with alternative-fuel or zero-emission models.
  • 3,400 buses retrofitted with particulate matter traps.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article highlights issues and actions that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on improving air quality by replacing polluting school buses with zero-emission models touches upon goals related to health, clean energy, sustainable cities, climate action, and reducing inequalities.

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The project’s main goal is to reduce harmful emissions, which directly impacts public health, especially for children who are more vulnerable to air pollution.
   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The transition from older, high-polluting buses to “new zero-emission models” and the installation of “supporting charging infrastructure” represent a shift towards cleaner energy in the transportation sector.
   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article explicitly states that “More than 87 percent of the new buses will serve overburdened communities,” directly addressing environmental justice and aiming to reduce health inequalities linked to air pollution.
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By reducing air pollution from public transportation within the South Coast Air Basin, the project contributes to making cities and human settlements more sustainable and healthier.
   • SDG 13: Climate Action: Replacing diesel buses with zero-emission alternatives is a direct measure to mitigate climate change by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   The article’s content allows for the identification of specific targets under the aforementioned SDGs.

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
     • The project aims to “reduce harmful emissions by about 46.3 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and 3.5 tons of particulate matter each year,” which directly contributes to reducing illnesses caused by air pollution.
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
     • The initiative to replace 286 diesel buses with “new zero-emission models” and install charging infrastructure promotes the use of electricity as a cleaner energy source for transportation, contributing to this target.
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
     • The project ensures that “cleaner air reaches those who need it most” by allocating over 87% of the new buses to “overburdened communities,” promoting environmental equity and social inclusion.
   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
     • The entire project, managed by the “South Coast Air Quality Management District,” is a direct action to improve air quality across major counties, thus reducing the environmental impact of the urban areas mentioned.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
     • This local-level initiative, funded by “state, federal, and local resources,” demonstrates the integration of climate action into regional planning by accelerating the “transition to zero-emission transportation.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

   • For Targets 3.9 and 11.6:
     • A key indicator is the annual reduction in pollutants: “46.3 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and 3.5 tons of particulate matter each year.” This directly measures the improvement in air quality.
   • For Targets 7.2 and 13.2:
     • The number of high-polluting vehicles replaced: “286 older, high-polluting school buses.”
     • The number of clean energy vehicles deployed: “286…new zero-emission models.”
     • The investment in clean energy infrastructure: The installation of “supporting charging infrastructure.”
     • The total funding allocated to the project: “up to $78.2 million.”
   • For Target 10.2:
     • The percentage of resources directed towards vulnerable populations: “More than 87 percent of the new buses will serve overburdened communities.” This is a direct indicator of the project’s focus on equity.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.9: Substantially reduce deaths and illnesses from air pollution.	Annual reduction of 46.3 tons of nitrogen oxides and 3.5 tons of particulate matter.
   SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy.	Deployment of 286 zero-emission buses; Installation of supporting charging infrastructure.
   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.2: Promote social inclusion and reduce inequality of outcome.	Over 87% of new buses designated to serve overburdened communities.
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, paying special attention to air quality.	Improvement of air quality across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties through reduced vehicle emissions.
   SDG 13: Climate Action	13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies and planning.	Replacement of 286 older, high-polluting buses with zero-emission models as part of a regional transition to clean transportation.

Source: fullertonobserver.com