In pursuit of Islandwide disaster preparedness, Kate Warner, energy planner at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, pitched the Edgartown select board Monday on an effort to use Vineyard Transit Authority electric bus batteries as a potential power source for water pumps in emergencies.

Informally called the “magic bus idea,” Ms. Warner explained that the electric buses could help pump, store and distribute water during power outages or other Island crises.

The commission is applying for a grant from the federal Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project, a technical assistance program for remote communities, for the project.

“If we had a really prolonged power failure, there might be a need to supply water to other parts of the Island,” Ms. Warner said. “There might even be a need for wildfire help.”

The water districts have back-up generators, she explained, but during past hurricanes and power failures generators have run out of fuel. Leaders at each up-Island water district expressed interest in the project and increased disaster resiliency.

The select board agreed to write a letter of support.

“That’s a really good idea,” said board member Arthur Smadbeck. “This is a part of the planning that we really need to do.”

The select board also approved the annual Camp Jabberwocky 5k Run on Aug. 19 and the Edgartown Board of Trade MV Brunch Run on Oct. 21.