In the spirit of Children’s Health Month, October 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo, the City of Pawtucket, and the Pawtucket School District gathered to celebrate nearly $12.5 million in Clean School Bus rebates for Rhode Island. With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these 2023 rebates will help five school districts across Rhode Island purchase a total of 45 new, clean school buses—contributing to cleaner air, savings for school districts, and better health for students, bus drivers, and the community. Pawtucket has been selected to receive nearly $8 million of this rebate funding to purchase 22 clean school buses. These electric buses will not only reduce emissions but also provide a quieter and cleaner ride for our students.
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Benefits of clean electric vehicles
1. Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions: Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, which helps reduce air pollution and decrease the amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere.
2. Energy efficiency: Electric vehicles are more energy efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles, as they convert more of the energy from their fuel source into powering the vehicle. This results in fewer resources being used to operate the vehicle.
3. Cost savings: While the upfront cost of electric vehicles may be higher than traditional vehicles, they often have lower operating costs due to lower fuel and maintenance expenses. In addition, many governments offer incentives and rebates for purchasing electric vehicles.
4. Public health benefits: By reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, electric vehicles can help improve public health by reducing respiratory illnesses and other health conditions related to air quality.
5. Job creation: The shift towards electric vehicles can create new jobs in industries such as manufacturing, charging infrastructure development, and battery recycling.
6. Noise reduction: Electric vehicles are much quieter than traditional vehicles, which can help reduce noise pollution in urban areas.
7. Grid flexibility: Electric vehicles can be used as a grid resource to store excess energy and provide power back to the grid during peak demand periods, helping to balance the electrical grid and increase energy resilience.
Overall, the adoption of electric vehicles can lead to a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system with numerous benefits for both society and the environment.
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