In the midst of a severe Arctic blast affecting much of the East Coast, concerns have been raised regarding the reliability and effectiveness of electric buses funded through federal subsidies under the Biden administration in the United States. Vermont's Green Mountain Transit reported that five electric buses, which were procured with federal assistance, were unable to operate during the cold weather. This incident prompted critical evaluations from groups like Power the Future (PTF), which are questioning the management and oversight of significant federal investments aimed at promoting green infrastructure. Critics argue that substantial taxpayer funds may have been wasted on initiatives that failed to deliver reliable transportation solutions. An audit conducted by the EPA Inspector General in 2024 revealed shortcomings in tracking the deployment of electric school buses, leading to concerns over whether the allocated $836 million actually resulted in functional and operable vehicles. Given this backdrop of inadequate oversight, PTF drew parallels between these issues and ongoing federal scandals involving large payouts without proper verification. In addition to the challenges faced in Vermont, similar issues have emerged in New York and Maine, where school districts are struggling to use electric buses in colder climates. Reports indicate that a school superintendent in Maine described receiving defective buses from a now-defunct Canadian electric vehicle manufacturer. She recounted an incident in which one of the electric buses experienced brake failure and crashed into a snowbank. This raises further implications regarding the safety and usability of technology that is positioned as a replacement for traditional diesel-powered buses. Vermont's Green Mountain Transit general manager, Clayton Clark, defended the electric buses by suggesting that their inoperability was not solely due to the weather conditions but rather related to a manufacturer recall for battery issues. However, critics, including Daniel Turner from PTF, assert that adopting experimental technology without proven performance in extreme conditions shows a disregard for the practical needs of schoolchildren relying on dependable transportation. Turner's assertions advocate for reassessing the balance between environmental initiatives and ensuring safe, reliable transport options are available to students during harsh weather.