Michael Regan became the first Black man to head the Environmental Protection Agency, after achieving significant successes such as overseeing the largest coal ash contamination clean-up in the country’s history.
Decades after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called for environmental justice, Michael Regan is leading the effort for environmental equity.
Michael Regan, a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical, has a history of advocating for civil rights in marginalized communities. He currently serves as the 16th administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, where he recently introduced a new initiative to combat carbon emissions by replacing traditional yellow school buses with electric vehicles on Jan. 8.
Regan emphasized the health benefits of transitioning from diesel to electric or low carbon school buses, reducing toxic exposure for children, teachers, and bus drivers.
The initiative aims to address the significant carbon footprint of diesel school buses, which emit about 3.3 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per mile, more than double the per-mile footprint for buses powered by the average U.S. electric grid, according to the federally funded Argonne National Laboratory.
According to Brenda Mallory, chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, electric buses offer cost savings in addition to environmental benefits.
Under the grant competition, 67 applicants have been selected to receive funds to replace 2,700 school buses in 287 school districts, with a focus on benefiting low-income rural and tribal communities.
This initiative aligns with President Biden’s agenda and is aimed at reducing toxic emissions and supporting new transportation for students.
Regan highlighted the importance of focusing on communities disproportionately impacted by transportation-related health and environmental issues. The initiative also aims to prepare these communities for a competitive edge in the 21st century clean energy economy.
Funded by President Biden’s initiative, the program aims to replace 2,700 school buses in 287 school districts across the country, with applications open until the Jan. 31 deadline. More information can be found at epa.gov
SOURCE: afro.com
