Well, folks, it seems our esteemed Vice President has once again proven that good intentions paved with taxpayer dollars don’t always lead to success. Kamala Harris’ much-touted $5 billion electric school bus program has sputtered and stalled, leaving us wondering if she might have been better off focusing on her day job as “border czar.” But let’s set aside the snark and dig into the nitty-gritty of this green dream turned nightmare.
The Promise vs. The Reality
Kamala Harris promoted a $5 billion federal program aimed at transitioning school districts to electric buses over five years. The initiative was pitched as a win-win: cleaner air for our children and a step towards a greener future. However, the reality has fallen far short of expectations.
Less than 7% of participating districts have actually made the switch to electric vehicles. This dismal success rate raises serious questions about the program’s viability and the administration’s ability to implement large-scale green initiatives.
NEW: One of Kamala Harris' responsibilities as VP has been overseeing the admin's $5B EV school bus push.
I took a look at the admin's data. Harris promised thousands of buses, but three years after the program was created, it's yielded just 60 buses. https://t.co/p0xhkUZ3eq
— Thomas Catenacci (@ThomasCatenacci) July 29, 2024
Roadblocks and Withdrawals
Many districts have withdrawn from the program, citing a trifecta of issues: opposition from school boards, high infrastructure upgrade costs, and technological challenges. The stark reality is that electric buses are significantly more expensive than their diesel counterparts, making the project economically unfeasible without substantial grants.
“And today, 95 percent of our school buses are fueled with diesel fuel, which contributes to very serious conditions that are about health and about the ability to learn,” Kamala said.
While the Vice President’s statement highlights the potential benefits of electric buses, it fails to address the practical challenges of implementation. Energy experts warn of significant roadblocks, including lower vehicle range and the need for substantial electric grid upgrades.
Criticism and Fraud Concerns
The program has faced sharp criticism for potential fraud and resource distribution inequities. Critics argue that focusing on electric buses is misguided given the current challenges in the education system. With schools struggling to provide basic educational resources, the wisdom of prioritizing expensive electric buses is questionable at best.
“It is about our investment in our children, in their health, and in their education,” Kamala states.
While the Vice President’s sentiment is admirable, the execution of the program suggests a disconnect between lofty goals and practical realities. The Biden-Harris administration has announced plans for further funding despite the program’s glaring issues, raising concerns about fiscal responsibility and effective governance.
The Bigger Picture
It’s worth noting that this electric bus initiative isn’t the only area where Vice President Harris has faced criticism. Six House Democrats joined Republicans in passing a resolution condemning Harris for her failure as “border czar.” The border crisis is estimated to cost the U.S. $150.7 billion each year, with each taxpayer shouldering $1,156 annually.
In conclusion, while the goal of improving environmental sustainability is commendable, the execution of this electric bus program has been fraught with challenges. As taxpayers and concerned citizens, we must question whether such initiatives are the best use of our resources, especially when core educational needs remain unmet in many districts across the nation.
Sources
- Kamala Harris’ $5 billion green bus failure shows she can’t even handle the small stuff
- Kamala Harris touted greener school buses — but good luck finding them with only 7% of districts switching
- Kamala Harris Touted a $5B Electric School Bus Program. Three Years Later, It’s Produced Just 60 Buses.
- Biden admin drops nearly $1 billion on green bus program inspector general warned was unfeasible
More from Around the Web
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Kamala Harris led the Biden Administration’s $5,000,000,000 EV school bus program:
Kamala Harris led the Biden Administration's $5,000,000,000 EV school bus program.
After 3 years, just 60 buses are on the road.
That's over $83,300,000 per bus.
A vote for Kamala is a vote to waste more tax dollars on failed green programs.
— Daniel Turner (@DanielTurnerPTF) July 29, 2024
REPORT: “Kamala Harris Touted a $5B Electric School Bus Program. Three Years Later, It’s Produced Just 60 Buses…”:
REPORT: "Kamala Harris Touted a $5B Electric School Bus Program. Three Years Later, It's Produced Just 60 Buses…"
Yes, your read that correctly, only 60 buses to show for a "green" program costing $5 billion.https://t.co/k1LX7g7UWS
— Alliance For Consumers (@for_consumers) July 29, 2024
