News

Richmond Times-Dispatch published a column by AEE's Kim Jemaine discussing the bipartisan passage of legislation in Virginia's Senate maximizing EVs in the state. Read snippets below and the full article here.

Thankfully, the passage of Senate Bull 575 - the so-called fleet optimization bill - proved that smart, fiscally responsible legislation still can get bipartisan support, and point the commonwealth toward a smarter transportation future.

Legislation to speed up the transition to electric school buses now moves to the state Senate

SACRAMENTO, June 1, 2022 – California's Clean and Healthy School Bus Act (AB 2731) was approved 57-0 by California’s State Assembly last week, a major step toward speeding up the transition to zero-emission school buses that save schools money and don’t harm young lungs. 

Proposed by Assemblymember Phil Ting (District 19) and sponsored by AEE, AB 2731 is designed to help school districts access the long-term economic benefits of switching to zero-emission school buses by allowing for longer vehicle lease terms, as well as setting a 2035 statewide Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) school bus sales goal. California currently caps lease terms for contracted school buses at five years. Extending the lease terms to 15 years would substantially improve the economics of transitioning to electric school buses for school districts. 

The $65 million grant program sets Colorado on track to electrify its school bus fleet and drive new electrification funding to the state.

DENVER, CO, May 10, 2022 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) applauded Colorado’s new electric school bus grant program, which provides an initial $65 million investment for schools to more quickly make the switch to clean bus rides for kids. The program passed out of Legislature today as a part of Senate Bill 193, a broader air quality investment package. 

Forbes detailed New York's route to 100% electric buses, citing AEE's Leah Meredith on the benefits of these cutting edge vehicles. Read snippets below and the full article here.

Anyone who has gone to school in the United States remembers the smell of diesel exhaust from riding the iconic yellow school bus, but few realize the danger of breathing those fumes. Thankfully, our children can ride pollution-free, all-electric buses that don’t cause asthma or harm brain development – and electrifying our school bus fleet is worth billions to American manufacturing.

Colorado Newsline outlined updates to a Colorado clean transportation requirement, quoting AEE's Emilie Olson on why the state needs to move faster on its advanced clean trucks rulemaking. Read snippets below and the full article here. 

Advocates for stronger climate action suffered the latest in a long line of defeats in their efforts to accelerate the pace of Colorado’s greenhouse gas policymaking in a meeting of state air commissioners on Thursday.

Newly approved funding sets the state on the fastest timeline in the nation to electrify its 47,000 school buses. 

ALBANY, April 8, 2022 — Today national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) commended Governor Hochul and the New York legislature for committing to electrify 100% of the state’s 47,000 diesel school buses by 2035. The New York State operating budget solidifies a 2027 target of 100% electric sales for all new school buses, provides funding for charging infrastructure needed to power the transition, and extends lease terms to 12 years from five, offering school districts more flexibility and greater access to the long-term savings these vehicles generate. 

Governor Sisolak’s announcement that Nevada is joining the multi-state MOU puts Nevada on the fast track to transportation electrification and the economic benefits that come with it.  

EPA reinstatement of California’s waiver affirms states’ authority to adopt stronger clean vehicle standards; will drive new jobs to America’s electrified transportation and manufacturing sectors 

Washington, D.C., March 9, 2022 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) celebrated the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to restore California’s Clean Air Act waiver to regulate vehicle emissions, which led to California’s Advanced Clean Cars (ACC), a long-standing program adopted by 16 states and the District of Columbia, which has helped create a market for vehicles that are more efficient and less polluting.

White House clean transit actions will drive jobs to America’s electrified transportation sector and pave a faster route to meeting EV adoption.

Washington, D.C., March 7, 2022 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) praised Vice President Kamala Harris’ remarks announcing federal action to accelerate clean transit and heavy-duty electric vehicle adoption. The announcement comes after the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed “Clean Trucks Rule,” which outlines standards for heavy-duty vehicle emissions that would reduce truck pollutants 90% below current EPA standards for model year 2031 vehicles, the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which included $5 billion in electric school bus funds, and the White House’s goal late last year to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030. These vehicles, which include school buses, trucks, and government fleets, account for nearly a quarter of the country’s transportation emissions.