Driving Change in Michigan: A Mom’s Mission for Cleaner Air with Electric School Buses
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Elizabeth Hauptman, a passionate advocate from Moms Clean Air Force Michigan to discuss the impacts of electric school buses on communities and how parents can advocate for cleaner air for their kids.
Q: Elizabeth, what is your current role at Moms Clean Air Force Michigan?
A: I serve as the Field Manager for Moms Clean Air Force in Michigan. I work to engage and mobilize parents, community members, and policymakers to protect children from air pollution and the impacts of climate change.
Q: How long have you been part of the organization?
A: I’ve been with Moms Clean Air Force since 2012, so over a decade now. It’s been an incredible journey working alongside passionate advocates for cleaner air and a healthier future for our children.
Q: What inspired you to join Moms Clean Air Force?
A: As a mother, I joined Moms Clean Air Force because I wanted to make a difference in my own child’s life. My son has asthma, and seeing him struggle during wildfire season and dealing with the increasing impacts of climate change motivated me to take action. I wanted to be part of a movement that ensures all children can grow up breathing clean air and living in a safe, stable environment.
Q: How would you describe the mission of Moms Clean Air Force?
A: The mission of Moms Clean Air Force is to protect children from air pollution and climate change. We’re a group of over 1.5 million parents and caregivers united to fight for justice in every breath. Our work spans local, state, and national levels to create healthier environments for children and future generations.
Q: What is a clean air project/initiative you’re currently working on and why are you excited about it?
A: One of the initiatives I’m really excited about is our work advocating for electric school buses across Michigan. We’ve been working with communities to help secure funding through the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which is vital for replacing dirty diesel buses with cleaner, healthier electric options. It’s exciting to see school districts, like Jackson and Dearborn, making this transition and setting an example for others.
Electric school buses play a significant role in our efforts to reduce harmful emissions that impact children’s health. Diesel school buses are a major source of air pollution, and children are particularly vulnerable to the health risks associated with it. By advocating for electric school buses, we’re helping to create cleaner air and healthier environments for kids across Michigan. Now more than ever is the time to take advantage of the EPA funds and the ability to stack them with state dollars. Healthy kids are all that should matter and the savings go back to classrooms.
Q: Witnessing school districts like Jackson and Dearborn go electric – what would you say to mothers/guardians with children in other school districts about the importance of their schools getting access to cleaner buses?
A: I would say that cleaner buses are essential for protecting our children’s health. Diesel exhaust is harmful, especially for kids with asthma or other respiratory issues. Electric school buses offer a cleaner, quieter, and healthier way to get kids to school. Research has shown that school children who have a cleaner ride to school exhibit improvements in attendance and test scores. As a parent, it’s important to speak up and advocate for your child’s well-being by pushing for electric school buses in your district.
Q: Does Moms Clean Air Force provide any tools and/or resources for other advocates to use in their petition for electric school buses in their community?
A: Absolutely. Moms Clean Air Force provides resources, toolkits, and guidance for advocates to engage with their local school boards and districts. We help communities navigate the funding opportunities available through programs like the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program and offer support in raising awareness about the benefits of electric buses.
We also have something called Naptime Activism, where even on your busiest day, you can take just 15 minutes to read up on something important, maybe a fact sheet or perhaps sign a petition that will help advocate for change.
Q: The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program just opened another round of funding for the five-year $5B program. How important is federal funding for electric school bus projects and how can mothers work with school districts in their communities to apply?
A: Federal funding is crucial for making the transition to electric school buses feasible for many districts. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure significant resources to improve air quality and reduce emissions. Caregivers and community members can support their schools by advocating for the application process, working with local officials, and utilizing resources like those provided by Moms Clean Air Force to help navigate the funding process.
Q: Is it possible to combine funding from EPA’s Clean School Bus Program with other state funding in Michigan?
A: Yes. In Michigan, when Governor Whitmer and our legislature passed the 2022-2023 school aide budget, it included funding specifically for cleaner school buses. By combining this with federal funding opportunities, schools can actually “stack” these two programs together. What that means for us here in Michigan is that when you combine these rebates, a diesel bus ends up being slightly more expensive—or, at the very least, equivalent in cost to a fully electric school bus. So, for the same amount (or less) you’d spend on a diesel bus, you can actually get a 100% electric school bus. And beyond just the cost parity, stacking these funds offers significant savings over time. Funding at the state level is also applicable to infrastructure costs as well – so when districts are able to stack these two programs, they can have little to no out-of-pocket costs. We want as many dollars going back into the classroom as possible and Michigan is uniquely set up to do this right now!
Q: What do you say to parents who are resistant to the idea of electric school buses?
A: That’s a great question. I think the best answer is exposure. At Moms Clean Air Force, and through the It’s Electric coalition, we’ve worked to bring together stakeholders at every level, so people can hear diverse perspectives on the issue—from parents and school nurses to transportation experts, bus drivers, and public health experts from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. By involving this wide range of voices, we’re sending a consistent message. And I believe that the power of repetition, listening openly to feedback, and validating concerns are essential to making real progress.
Q: For those who are not parents, but want to impact the lives of the children in their communities – how can they support your organization?
A: You don’t have to be a parent to care about clean air and the future of our children. You can support Moms Clean Air Force by advocating for policies that reduce air pollution, volunteering with us, or simply raising awareness in your community about the importance of clean air and climate action. Every voice matters, and we welcome anyone who wants to contribute to building a healthier, safer future for the next generation.
Learn more about how you can advocate for electric school buses in your community with Moms Clean Air Force. Highland also has advocacy resources to help you advocate for change where you live. Check out our advocacy toolkit!
