The federal government just decided to dump a busload of money into states all over the USA. The money is supposed to be used to buy electric buses. Yes, you read that correctly. Money, tax money, to buy electric buses. Is this money being well spent or is it a solution looking for a problem? 🤔
Here are Five Fast Facts on big bucks for buses:
- 💰 How Much? - The US Dept of Transportation just dropped grants for $1.7 billion all around the country for electric buses that will produce little or no fossil fuel emissions. Those eeeeevil emissions...
- 📈 How Many? - The money will be given to build 1,700 new buses in 46 states, about half of which will be emissions-free.
- 💸 From Where? - The money came from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a part of the Build Back Better agenda. Some say that agenda should be known as the "bankroll big businesses" agenda, but who are we to judge? 😜
- 👍 Supporters Say - Supporters of this bill say that the zero- or low-emissions buses being purchased will improve public health by cutting the amount of diesel exhaust. If second hand smoke isn't a thing, then is second hand diesel inhalation a thing?
- 👎 Opponents Say - There are two groups opposed to this plan - the political right says the bill is too expensive and doesn't put funds where it is most needed (something like broadband Internet would be better, they say). The political left is saying it's actually too small and doesn't do enough. Politics can make for some strange bedfellows!
🔥Bottom line: These are important issues, and not likely things that can be solved quickly and easily...even with big amounts of money thrown at them. But with money like this being thrown anyway, it does beg the question of whether or not it's worth the cost.
What do you think about this plan?
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