Electric school buses are an important tool for eliminating dangerous air pollution that kids are exposed to every day by riding fossil fuel-powered school buses. At the same time, they are saving school districts money on fuel and maintenance while providing a healthier experience for kids and drivers alike. While the upfront costs are high, the combination of health and environmental benefits coupled with cost savings have led both state and federal leaders to provide grants and rebates, lowering the cost of purchasing these new buses for school districts. This year, those programs are bringing dozens of brand new electric school buses to schools and neighborhoods across the state.
Service Obstructor: John Deere software restricts farmer repair
By promising repair software that removes or obfuscates necessary repair functions, John Deere’s Memorandum of Understanding fails to give farmers a true Right to Repair.
More than 5,000 phone companies still haven't installed robocall defense equipment. Tens of millions of consumers lost money to scam calls last year, with a median loss of $1,400. We look at what's being done to fight robocalls and robotexts, and what's next.
Vape Waste: The environmental harms of disposable vapes
Vape Waste poses a growing environmental threat. According to CDC Foundation sales estimates, lining-up the disposable vapes sold in a year would stretch for 7,000 miles—long enough to span the continental U.S. twice. Because there is no standard legal way to recycle these products, many users just toss them.
Electric Vehicles Save Money for Government Fleets
State and local governments around the country could save a total of nearly $11 billion in lifetime expenses by purchasing EVs as opposed to gasoline-powered vehicles for their light-duty fleets over the next 10 years.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, are dangerous for public health. Because these “forever chemicals” are nearly indestructible, PFAS build up in the bodies of humans over time and persist in the environment. PFAS can cause kidney cancer, thyroid disruption, reduced responses to vaccination, and other health problems.