Maryland LCV and the Maryland Sierra Club Welcome PSC Approval of Electric School Bus Pilot Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 7, 2025) – On October 22, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the implementation plan submitted by Potomac Edison Company for its Electric School Bus (ESB) Pilot Program. This program will fund 28 electric school buses over a five-year period across Potomac Edison’s service territory, in parts of Maryland that could include Montgomery, Frederick, Garrett or Allegany counties.
Maryland LCV-Chispa Maryland and Maryland Sierra Club, who were represented by Earthjustice in this proceeding, welcome this step forward toward a cleaner, healthier future for Maryland’s children. Electric school buses cut pollution, lower operating costs, and help us meet our state’s climate goals.
Maryland LCV-Chispa Maryland and Maryland Sierra Club are pleased to see the pilot project include meaningful deployment of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which allows electric school buses to act like large batteries by sending power back to the grid when they are not being used to transport students. This V2G capability supports our grid, strengthens community resilience, and moves Maryland closer to its clean energy and public health goals.
However, Maryland’s children—particularly those in underserved communities who bear the greatest burden of pollution—deserve bold action. The pilot’s limited scope and weak equity language risk leaving too many families behind. Maryland LCV-Chispa Maryland and Maryland Sierra Club urge Potomac Edison to prioritize environmental justice in the program’s implementation by ensuring that the communities most in need can fully benefit from the cleaner air and healthier future that electric school buses will deliver.
The organizations call on the PSC, Potomac Edison, and school systems to build on this pilot: to expand its scope, deepen equity commitments, and accelerate the pace of electrification—so that every Maryland child, regardless of neighborhood or zip code, can ride to school in a clean, quiet, zero-emission electric school bus.
“Switching to electric school buses means cleaner rides for our kids, cleaner air in our neighborhoods, and a stronger, smarter electric grid,” said Ramon Palencia‑Calvo, Senior Director of Chispa Maryland. “This pilot project is a promising start, but we need to turn it into a full-scale effort that truly puts Maryland’s children and the communities most burdened by pollution first.”
“Children have the right to get to school every day without breathing harmful diesel pollution. Potomac Edison’s pilot to fund 28 electric school buses that can feed power back to the grid is an encouraging first step,” said Josh Tulkin, Director of Maryland Sierra Club. “Ultimately, we hope to see these types of electric school buses in every county across the state, especially in underserved communities.”
Background:
Maryland LCV and the Sierra Club, through their counsel at Earthjustice, petitioned to intervene before the Maryland Public Service Commission to ensure that the design and implementation of the Electric School Bus (ESB) Pilot Program was equitable, cost-effective, and aligned with Maryland’s climate goals under the Climate Solutions Now Act.
The groups sought to represent members’ interests – particularly those concerned about public health, environmental justice, and clean transportation policy. This participation allowed the groups to provide input and raise relevant issues to ensure the Pilot delivers the greatest environmental and community benefits.
The Climate Solutions Now Act was landmark legislation passed in 2022 that set ambitious targets for Maryland in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing clean transportation. It authorized this Pilot Program, which aims to accelerate the transition from diesel to electric school buses, improve air quality for children and communities, and support Maryland’s broader goal of achieving a zero-emission transportation sector.
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About Maryland LCV: The Maryland League of Conservation Voters educates and activates people to take equitable and just political actions for clean water, healthy air, and climate-resilient communities for everyone in Maryland. Through political action, education, and accountability, Maryland LCV has been the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization for over 40 years.
Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is America’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization. The Maryland Chapter has over 70,000 members and supporters, and the Sierra Club nationwide has approximately 800,000 members.
Contact: Darcy Costello
301-204-9875
dcostello@fblaw.com