Gov. Northam meets with MC school reps in Richmond

August 25, 2021

Middlesex County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Tracy Seitz stands next to Gov. Ralph Northam in Richmond last week as he shows off a toy electric school bus. Behind her is MCPS Director of Operations Dustin S. Harris. MCPS Assistant Superintendent Byron Bishop is at far right. The others in the photo are officials from other school systems across the commonwealth that are receiving money for electric school buses (in addition to MCPS). (Contributed)

Gov. Ralph Northam last week announced more than $10.5 million in funds from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, to replace 83 diesel school buses with electric and propane buses in 19 school districts across the commonwealth. This includes adding two new buses in Middlesex County. Middlesex County is receiving $512,346 for the buses.

“The Northam administration has remained committed to fighting the impacts of climate change and finding solutions that help Virginians every day,” said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Matthew J. Strickler. “Replacing aging and dirty buses is not only better for the health of school children, it also saves school divisions tens of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a bus and helps advance Virginia’s clean energy goals.”