Wondering what the Inflation Reduction Act which the US Senate passed on August 7, 2022 means for schools?
There are 3 areas (air pollution, e-buses, and tax credits) where this Act positively impacts a school community.
Address Air Pollution:
American schools emit 72 million tons of CO2 annually, according to the US Department of Energy. Indoor air quality is a concern especially in older, poorly ventilated buildings.
According to a study conducted by Harvard’s School of Public Health, students’ attention processes were significantly slower in classrooms with high CO2 levels and low ventilation rates. Conversely, participants’ cognitive function scores were 61 percent higher in rooms with green building conditions.
The Inflation Reduction Act sets aside $37.5 million in grants; $12.5 million in technical assistance to help schools in "low-income and disadvantaged communities ... monitor and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.”
Replace Diesel Buses:
Diesel exhaust is one of the leading causes of climate change. Black carbon particulates, a main component of diesel exhaust, are 3,200 times more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide (World Bank, 2014).
Diesel school buses emit harmful particulates.
Diesel exhaust also impacts human health. The average “benign” amount of diesel exhaust in the air is about 350 to 400 parts per million (ppm). But when diesel exhaust levels reach around 1,000 to 2,000 ppm, this poses a risk to human health. This constant exposure to harsh pollutants can increase one’s risk for lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, worsening asthma, and bronchitis (Green Teacher, 2019). According to the EPA (2003), children are more susceptible to diesel pollution than adults as children breathe in 50% more air per pound.
With the detrimental environmental and health impacts of diesel exhaust,, we need to shift our thinking away from diesel towards electrifying our buses.
With the Inflation Reduction Act, states, municipalities, and Native American tribes are eligible for grants, while school districts are not. However, non-profit transportation associations are eligible as $400 million in grants are set aside to replace existing gas-powered vehicles with e-buses.
For more information about replacing your diesel buses see this article.
Collect Tax Credits for Electric Cars:
The Inflation Reduction Act will allow people who purchase an electric vehicle a $7,500 rebate and $4,000 rebate for a used e-car.
While 9 out of 10 teachers surveyed by EdWeek Research Center in July drive a gas-powered car, one-third of educators responded that they would more likely drive an e-car if their school installed charging stations.
Adding electric vehicle charging stations to schools encourages teachers to switch to e-cars.
The passing of the Inflation Reduction Act is the largest-ever investment to tackle climate change with roughly $370 billion dollars. This much needed change helps schools rethink their environmental footprint. As schools improve indoor air quality and reduce diesel emissions, their actions give hope towards a greener future.
Article by Mary Ann Boyer of Boyer Sudduth Environmental Consultants.
Article printed in PAISBOA’s Friday Flyer, Vol XI, No. 12 - August 19, 2022.
