Electric Transformation at Lincoln High School: A Leap Towards a Sustainable Future
Image source: https://wilson.sandiegounified.org/
At S Curve Strategies, we're proud to have played a pivotal role in pioneering the Clean Mobility Program at Lincoln High School and its feeder schools. Our collaboration with the San Diego Unified School District, fueled by a significant $9.6 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), has electrified the community's transportation system. We've successfully introduced electric buses, bikes, trucks, and maintenance equipment, helping to diminish the carbon footprint in neighborhoods that have historically shouldered a heavy pollution burden.
San Diego Unified Board President Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne highlights the comprehensive nature of the Clean Mobility in Schools Program, emphasizing its uniqueness. "Every community deserves clean air," she states. "This program isn't just about the students; it extends its benefits to the communities these vehicles serve." Echoing her sentiment, CARB Chair Liane Randolph remarks on the project's alignment with their commitment to infuse schools and communities with clean technology. With CARB’s long-standing initiative that invests over $1 billion in the past two decades to replace dirty school buses, this project testifies to California's dedication to a sustainable transformation that prioritizes public health and the fight against climate change.
The program, designed for the 14 schools in the Lincoln High School Cluster, boasts a wide array of electric vehicles and equipment. This includes 13 electric school buses, electric food delivery trucks, landscaping and maintenance equipment, an electric van, a community events vehicle, and charging stations, all backed by battery storage for cleaner energy. Additionally, a pilot initiative introduces electric bikes for Lincoln students and staff. To ensure everyone understands and leverages the benefits of these clean mobility options, a robust education and outreach plan is in place. Elementary and middle school students, along with their parents, receive information on safe routes around schools.
This initiative is a part of the California Climate Investments, a holistic program that channels cap-and-trade dollars into reducing greenhouse gas emissions, bolstering the economy, and enhancing public health. Particularly, it targets those communities that grapple with poor air quality. The Lincoln High School Cluster, comprising elementary, middle, and high schools, records some of San Diego County's most compromised air quality. This cluster services communities including Barrio Logan, Mountain View, Logan Heights, and Lincoln Park.
S Curve Strategies President, April Bolduc, envisioned this project as a beacon for other school districts nationwide. "Every student deserves clean air," she asserted. "Transitioning to electric modes of transportation was perhaps the most immediate solution to reduce emissions in our localities."
The transformative journey of Lincoln High School and its affiliated elementary and middle schools towards a sustainable future is not just an isolated endeavor but a testament to a broader commitment. Through the generous support of CARB and the unwavering vision of the San Diego Unified School District, the integration of electric vehicles signifies a bold step against pollution and climate change. As Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne rightly pointed out, it is not just an initiative for the students but a ripple effect that benefits entire communities. The project stands as an example of what is possible when dedication meets innovation. For an in-depth understanding and to become a part of this visionary journey, visit sandiegounified.org/cleanmobility. Together, as a community, we can drive change and ensure a healthier environment for generations to come.