How One School District Is Becoming More Sustainable

Plus, how the Family and Medical Leave Act falls short for veterans and military families. Problems viewing this email? [View it in your browser]( [Center for American Progress]( InProgress from the Center for American Progress Leading the Charge: School District Switches to All-Electric Buses [A yellow school bus school bus turning the corner on a curved road with trees around. ]( Exposure to diesel pollution from transportation contributes to [3,700 heart attacks, 8,800 deaths, and $100 billion in health costs each year.]( Unfortunately, many students across the country ride to school on buses that run on diesel and can be affected by diesel exhaust. But one school district is leading the charge toward a more sustainable and healthy solution. Martinsville Independent School District (ISD), located in the heart of East Texas, has [replaced its entire diesel school bus fleet with all-electric buses.]( Financed by a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program, Martinsville ISD has become the first school district in Texas to embrace emission-free transportation for its students. Despite initial skepticism in the community, the district—serving about 340 students—successfully introduced the electric buses, beginning their routes in late October. The move is part of a broader $5 billion nationwide initiative aimed at replacing traditional school buses with low- or zero-emission models, focusing on rural and low-income school districts. Diesel exhaust, a major contributor to climate change and associated health issues, prompted the district’s shift. The electric buses not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also create a healthier environment for students by minimizing exposure to harmful pollutants during their commute. While the upfront costs of electric buses are higher, the EPA grant fully funded the school district’s transition, covering the purchase of four electric buses and the required charging infrastructure. The buses, with a daily range of about 100 miles, comfortably cover the district’s 60-mile daily routes. Texas, boasting the largest school bus fleet in the country, is making strides in reducing diesel exposure. Despite challenges and partisan politics, the Martinsville school district can serve as a model to the nation on how to create a cleaner and healthier future for our students. [Read More]( Why Congress Should Expand FMLA for Military Families and Veterans [An image of an American flag in front of a VA medical center. ]( The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), established in 1993, guarantees covered workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave annually for personal health concerns, caregiving, or bonding with a new child. For three decades, this landmark piece of legislation has granted millions of workers the right to take time off for certain needs without risking their jobs. However, the law falls short for the families that serve: military spouses and other family members, military caregivers, and veterans. As originally enacted, the law contained no provisions specifically targeted to past or current military service. To respond to this need, Congress amended the FMLA in 2008 and 2009 to [add protections]( focused on the impact of deployment on military families and military caregivers. These important changes added vital new protections that reflect the distinctive needs of these populations. However, these amendments from more than a decade ago do not go far enough. They also do not specifically address the needs of veterans. A [new report]( from the Center for American Progress outlines the steps Congress should take to expand the FMLA to better meet the needs of service members, veterans, and those who love and care for them. Those who serve, and their families, make innumerable sacrifices for this country. They should not also be forced to sacrifice their jobs to deal with the consequences of answering the call to service. [Keep Reading]( CAP Experts at COP28 This week and next, CAP experts are attending the 2023 U.N. Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28) in Dubai. This past Sunday, these experts—including CAP Founder John Podesta—hosted an official side event at the conference. [An image of John Podesta standing at a podium presenting at COP28. ]( Follow [@CAPenergypolicy]( on X for more updates from COP28. [Share This]( Support a Clean Energy Future [Workers on a roof installing solar panels. ]( As world leaders meet at COP28 this week to determine how to combat the climate crisis, you can make a difference too. We must take this key moment to tell the world that a clean energy future—one focused on protecting workers and environmental justice—is not only achievable, it is also the baseline for protecting our planet and its people for future generations. Make sure President Joe Biden knows YOU support prioritizing a 100 percent clean energy future. [ACT NOW]( Extinguishing the Fires of Political Violence American democracy is facing multiple threats, not the least of which is political violence. Political leaders are using extremist language and emotional cues that inflame grievances and are understood to authorize or condone physical harm to opponents or public officials. Meanwhile, fear of such violence leads to reduced civic engagement and voter participation and exacerbates the spread of harmful disinformation. Despite these troubling trends, it is possible to restore political norms that reject violence and strengthen democracy. This bipartisan event co-hosted by the Center for American Progress and the [McCain Institute]( will explore ways that political violence creates a toxic stew that reduces comity and drives polarization. Join us on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. EST for “Extinguishing the Fires of Political Violence.” Our distinguished panelists—former [Sen. Doug Jones]( (D-AL) and former [Rep. Barbara Comstock]( (R-VA)—will draw lessons from other times in American history when threats of political violence posed similar risks, while highlighting ways to help Americans not only recognize these “dog whistles” but also reject and constructively counter such dangerous language. [Attend In-Person]( [Watch Virtually]( [CAP 20 Boldly Forward]( Follow us on [Follow us on Twitter]( [Follow us on Facebook]( [Follow us on YouTube]( [Follow us on Instagram]( [Support CAP]( [Manage Email Preferences or Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( [Center for American Progress]( Center for American Progress 1333 H Street NW Washington, D.C. 20005 [supporter]