El MONTE, CA – El Monte Union High School District received the first two of 11 electric buses on July 21 and two more on July 22 as a part of the District’s participation in the Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project, made possible by the $9.8 million grant awarded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). 

This new fleet of electric buses is a part of the District’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, creating a healthier environment for students, families and staff. El Monte Union’s participation in the Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project promotes the use of zero-emission vehicles and clean transportation options for its school community, thanks to the CARB grant. 

“Our students deserve transportation to school in buses that are not only safe but also work to eliminate poor air quality in their hometown, and so El Monte Union is excited to see the first buses being delivered because it is the start of new era of transportation for our students,” Facility & Energy Manager Lena Luna said.

The purpose of the new buses will be to transport students using state-of-the-art vehicles with the most current safety features that are not reliant on diesel or gasoline. These buses will reduce the District’s carbon footprint and help to improve the air quality of the cities EMUHSD services, including El Monte, South El Monte and Rosemead. 

Brandon Bluhm, Director of New School Bus Sales at A-Z Bus Sales, Inc., said that his company is 100% employee-owned and the leading distributor of alternative fuel and zero emissions school buses in California. Bluhm explained that electric school buses can save districts up to 80% in fuel costs and up to 50% in maintenance costs over traditional diesel-powered vehicles. 

“We are proud to be leading the way for alternative fuel and zero emissions bus sales in the state, and it continues to be a great experience partnering with the El Monte Union High School District,” Bluhm said. “We expect that the rest of the buses will be delivered over the next few months.”

The District’s project will also add three electric motor pool vehicles, five energy storage systems and charging hardware to support electric vehicles. The District has already received 11 all electric 2021 Gem Polaris utility maintenance carts.

The active transportation plan is another component of this project and complements the electrification of the school buses and maintenance vehicles by generating project ideas that focus on how students and staff get to school and also aims to improve school transportation safety and air quality. The plan takes a comprehensive look at key issues identified by each school community to understand students’ trip from home to school at the community level. 

“El Monte Union is excited to receive the first of our electric school bus fleet, marking the beginning of a cleaner and brighter future for our students, staff and school community,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “Thank you to CARB and all of our partners for helping us to make this transition from gasoline to electric a reality and thank you to our staff who continue to work tirelessly in the best interest of our students and families.”

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

EL MONTE – El Monte Union High School District has received the San Gabriel Valley Energy Champion award and achieved gold tier status for outstanding efforts and dedication to maximizing energy efficiency, becoming the first district in the San Gabriel Valley to earn the recognition.

Gold tier status is achieved when a school district attends three SGV energy work group meetings or energy efficiency trainings, audits and benchmarks facilities to review their energy usage, holds meetings with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) to discuss potential energy efficiency projects, and displays and advertises energy efficiency marketing materials on its website.

El Monte Union received the recognition in December 2020 and was officially recognized during the April 14 Board of Trustees meeting by SGVOG representative and management aide Ana Bordello.

“Thank you so much for being leaders in our region, for your great efforts in increasing energy efficiency and for being a leader among school districts,” Bordello said.

The SGV Energy Champion award is made possible by the San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership (SGVEWP) between Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), the SGVCOG and cities and school districts in the San Gabriel Valley.

“Our District is honored to be recognized as a gold tier San Gabriel Valley Energy Champion,” Dr. Edward A. Zuniga said. “Finding sustainable ways to maximize our District’s energy output is a part of our culture and curriculum, which prepares our students for a future in green jobs. El Monte Union makes every effort to lead by example, not just for ourselves but for our entire community.”

EMUHSD is currently working with Southern California Regional Energy to implement a battery energy storage system and HVAC controls to increase energy efficiency. For more information on these efforts and more, visit: https://emuhsdmobility.com.

Dear EMUHSD community,

As our District continues to develop new and innovative ways for each of our high schools to offer safe, comfortable and fun ways to commute using low-emissions transportation, it is important that we listen to the feedback provided by our community.

The EMUHSD School Mobility & Active Transportation Plan is an initiative focused on providing our community with eco-friendly ways to get to school.

By taking a quick survey, you can tell us how you think we can make El Monte Union a safer and cleaner transportation District. Plus, you can enter to win a raffle, featuring such prizes as a $25 gift card to your choice of Target, Superior Grocers, 99 Ranch Market or CVS!

The closing date for the survey is Friday, April 30.

The Survey is offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Mandarin.

Click here to take the survey and enter to win:

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.