A regional air quality program will replace 286 older diesel school buses with zero-emission models, a move officials said will cut pollution for students in 35 Southern California school districts.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board approved up to $78.2 million for the transition, which includes new buses and the charging equipment needed to operate them. According to the agency, the project will send 124 buses to Los Angeles County, 50 to Orange County, 60 to Riverside County and 52 to San Bernardino County.
Officials said the switch is expected to reduce harmful emissions “by about 46.3 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and 3.5 tons of particulate matter each year, significantly improving air quality, particularly for students.”More than 87% of the buses will serve communities the agency identifies as overburdened…