El MONTE, CA –El Monte Union High School District has been awarded a $9.8 million grant by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to fund a menu of Clean Mobility measures to promote the use of zero-emission vehicles and clean transportation options for students, parents and staff with the added benefit of a pilot Career Technical Education (CTE) curriculum to engage students in clean energy career pathways.

CARB awarded grants for the new two-year Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project, which is a part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment.

“Clean-mobility projects like those being created by the El Monte Union High School District help reduce exposure to harmful air pollution by children and others in and around schools, reduce climate-changing gas emissions and create more zero-emission transportation options for communities,” Sydney Vergis, division chief of CARB’s Mobile Source Control Division said. “Congratulations to the El Monte Union High School District.”

El Monte Union is one of three districts awarded the grant including San Diego and Stockton Unified School Districts. CARB awarded all three school districts a combined total of $24 million.

The grant is funding a variety of initiatives under the Clean Mobility umbrella including:
• Development of a School Mobility & Active Transportation Plan.

• School Bus Charging Station Infrastructure Design through Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready Transportation Program.

• The acquisition of over 10 electric school buses, 11 electric maintenance vehicles, three or more electric motor pool vehicles, and five energy storage systems, as well as charging hardware to support the clean energy and mobility infrastructure.

• Integration of a zero-emission transportation and renewable energy workforce pathways into its Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum.

El Monte Union High School District is currently developing the School Mobility & Active Transportation Plan – a project that will develop new and innovative ways for all six high schools to offer safe, comfortable and fun ways to commute using zero-emissions transportation and create a path to establishing reasonable alternatives to driving to school. The District has also kicked off the School Bus Charging Station Infrastructure design and construction task through Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready Transport Program.

The District has begun efforts to procure the electric school buses. An effort to acquire the 11 electric maintenance vehicles, three or more electric motor pool vehicles, five energy storage systems as well as charging hardware to support the clean energy and mobility infrastructure, will follow.

EMUHSD is currently in the process of establishing a framework for a curriculum that would integrate zero-emission transportation and renewable energy workforce pathways into its Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum.

“The Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot is about more than just providing our community with clean air vehicles, but is a part of our District’s mission, which is to ensure our students graduate ready for college and their future career,” Board of Trustees President Florencio F. Briones said. “Investing in renewable energy education will provide our students with even more opportunities to be successful, life-long learners.”

In April, the District plans to share a survey with students, parents and District employees to gather feedback on how the Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project can best serve their needs, as well as determine feasible options for transportation alternatives to using gas-powered vehicles.

“El Monte Union is thrilled to be a recipient of this grant award – it not only enables us to improve transportation conditions within our community, but it also serves as an opportunity to integrate zero emissions education and workforce pathways into our comprehensive CTE programs,” Superintendent Edward A. Zuniga said. “Every decision our District makes is with the success of our students in mind, and that includes using the grant award to offer new and exciting pathways for our scholars.”

For more information regarding the Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project, please visit https://emuhsdmobility.com.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

4_14_21_CLEANMOBILITY1: Southern California Edison contractors (left to right) Brandon Del Priore, Luis Haro and Anthony Parra are proud to work with El Monte Union High School District and be a part of the Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project.

4_14_21_CLEANMOBILITY2: El Monte Union High School District uses laser scanning at the Bus Garage parking lot for underground utilities.