A new pilot program in San Diego aims to bring cleaner, greener transportation options to Lincoln High School and nearby elementary and middle schools. Thanks to a $9.6 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the San Diego
Unified School District will introduce electric buses, trucks, and other vehicles to help improve air quality and fight climate change.
Clean Transportation for Local Communities
This ambitious program is part of California’s Clean Mobility in Schools initiative and focuses on schools in neighborhoods most affected by pollution.
The goal is to provide cleaner air for the students, school employees, and the surrounding communities.
The program includes 13 electric school buses, electric food trucks, landscaping equipment, a van for carpooling, and even electric bikes for students and staff.
Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, the Board President of San Diego Unified, expressed her excitement, stating that this program benefits not just the students but the entire community.
“Every community deserves clean air,” she said, highlighting the positive impact of this initiative.
The Benefits of Electric Vehicles
The program targets 14 schools in the Lincoln High School Cluster, serving areas like Barrio Logan, Mountain View, Logan Heights, and Lincoln Park, which have struggled with poor air quality.
This initiative will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also provide valuable workforce training for high school students, preparing them for careers in clean technology.
Liane Randolph, CARB’s Chair, noted that the $9.6 million grant would help continue California’s transition to zero-emission transportation, benefiting both public health and the fight against climate change.
“This project builds on our commitment to bring clean technology to schools,” she said.
A Partnership for Clean Mobility
The pilot program is being implemented with the help of several partners, including CALSTART, the Center for Sustainable Energy, Circulate San Diego, Cleantech San Diego, and others.
These organizations are working together to ensure that the new vehicles and infrastructure will have a lasting impact on the community.
Jonathan Changus from the Center for Sustainable Energy shared his excitement for the program, saying, “We will share information on how these technologies provide cleaner air and create opportunities for students in the clean mobility workforce.”
Educational Outreach and Workforce Training
In addition to the electric vehicles, the program will also focus on education and outreach to students and parents.
Information on safe walking and biking routes around schools will be provided, and Lincoln High School students will receive workforce training related to clean energy jobs.
Circulate San Diego’s Dara Braitman emphasized the importance of educating students on safe pedestrian and bicycle behaviors, helping to create better infrastructure to support all types of mobility.
The program aims to provide both learning opportunities and safer transportation options for students of all ages.
Reducing Pollution for a Better Future
The Lincoln High School Cluster Clean Mobility in Schools program is part of California’s broader effort to reduce pollution and improve public health, particularly in communities facing high levels of air pollution.
This effort is supported by California Climate Investments, a program that reinvests money from the state’s cap-and-trade system into clean technologies and other climate-focused initiatives.
Through this innovative program, the Lincoln Cluster schools are set to become leaders in clean school transportation, and the program’s success could inspire similar efforts in other districts across the country.
Looking Ahead to a Sustainable Future
The San Diego Unified School District is also working on long-term climate goals, aiming to become a zero-net energy organization by 2035.
This includes upgrading schools with more energy-efficient systems, solar panels, and energy-saving technologies.
By the end of 2022, the district plans to generate 50% of its total electricity from renewable sources, offsetting over 10,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year.
With these efforts, San Diego is taking major steps toward improving the environment, supporting clean mobility, and providing students with the skills and tools needed to thrive in a sustainable future.
