Virginia has made major progress on climate action over the last few years with the passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, the Clean Car Standards, and robust budgets for mass transit and trails. Through the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), an unprecedented amount of funding opportunities are available that the Commonwealth must leverage to meet its conservation and environmental goals.

VCN is partnering with different organizations to showcase how federal funds are being brought into the Commonwealth and highlight opportunities for decision-makers. Generation180 is an organization that inspires and equips individuals to take action on clean energy in their homes and communities. They help solarize schools, electrify buses, and train clean energy advocates. Most recently, Generation180 assisted Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) in leveraging federal funds to electrify a portion of its school bus fleet.

Electric, zero-emission buses benefit the health of school communities by eliminating harmful emissions and reducing noise pollution.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides federal funding towards clean infrastructure and charging infrastructure, such as funding the EPA Clean School Bus Program. This program provides $5 billion over five years to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and clean school buses around the country. Lynchburg City Schools applied and received nearly $10 million from the EPA Clean School Bus Program for twenty-five electric school buses and charging infrastructure, and up to $1 million in federal tax credits from the IRS. LCS electrified 40% of their school buses thanks to federal funding from the IRA. Going forward, the new electric school buses will save $150,000 per year in fuel costs and more in avoided maintenance costs. These funding opportunities highlight the benefits that additional funding has in advancing zero-emission transportation by supporting district budgets.

These funding opportunities also show the benefits that additional funding have in supporting community health. Electric, zero-emission school buses prevent students, bus drivers, school staff, and community members from breathing in diesel pollution that is harmful to their health. Electric buses also provide a quiet and comfortable ride for students and drivers, further reducing noise pollution in school communities. With transportation being Virginia’s largest source of climate pollution, transitioning to electric school buses will help reduce emissions. LCS bus driver Bert Smith adds, “It gives us a head start in becoming familiar with the buses, so when everything is implemented, we’ll already be ahead of the game.”