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October 2022 Newsletter

Upcoming Events

E-Mobility Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Conference, DC/Virtual October 19 - 20
Virginia Clean Energy Summit, Richmond, October 20 - 21
Rocktown Energy Festival, Harrisonburg, October 29
Annual DRIVE Electric Forum, Virtual, November 17

Click the events for more info!

EPA Clean School Bus Awards to double to $1 billion

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would nearly double the funding awarded for clean school buses this year following increased demand, with school districts from all 50 states applying for the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates.

This is the first round of funding from the EPA Clean School Bus Program, which the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created with a historic $5 billion investment for low- and zero-emission school buses over the next five years.

Waverly RNG project nearing completion

The Waverly Align project will produce renewable natural gas (RNG) from a network of 20 farms and will produce enough clean energy to power 2,500 homes. Check out the stats:

Annual RNG Production: 201,556 Dth (enough to heat 2,500 homes)
Annual Emissions Reduction: 103,000 metric tons CO2e
Annual Climate Benefit: The same as taking 20,000 cars off the road or planting 1.5 million new trees each year

2nd Annual DRIVE Electric Virginia Forum is November 17th

Save the date! November 17th, starting at 3:00 pm! Join us again for a conversation with key stakeholders working to advance electric vehicles in Virginia.

Virginia Clean Cities hosted the Inaugural Drive Electric Virginia Forum in 2021 with an amazing lineup of speakers covering a wide range of topics on the current state of electric vehicles (EVs) in Virginia plus efforts underway to make EV adoption and charging accessible and equitable.

Check out last year's recording or read the post-event summary here!

The Virginia Walkability Action Institute

announces cohort application

The Virginia Walkability Action Institute (VWAI) provides training and support to professionals, students, volunteers and advocates working to improve walking, biking, public transit and micro-mobility in their communities, and across the Commonwealth. Applications are now open for the 2023 cohort.

VDH, in collaboration with the CDC's Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant, invites eligible Virginia residents over 18 years of age to apply for the VWAI today. There is no application or enrollment fee for the VWAI, and up to thirty (30) participants will be accepted in a series of in-person and virtual sessions between November 2022 and October 2023. Applicants from a variety of fields are considered eligible, including professionals in transportation, engineering, planning and public health. University/college students in a related field are also eligible, as are elected officials and community members working at non-profit organizations, or in a volunteer capacity.

Applications are being accepted until 11:59 pm ET on October 28, 2022.

Application link: https://bit.ly/2023-VWAI-application

New workplace charging program - employers needed!

The U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office announced the winners of the “Low Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Technologies Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment” funding opportunity. Included in this round was a Topic Area of “Electric Vehicle Workplace Charging.” One of the announced winners was the EMPOWER proposal – “Equitable Mobility Powering Opportunities for Workplace Electrification Readiness.”

VCC will be working with Virginia employers and businesses to further workplace charging in Virginia. If your company is interested, please contact Bruce Vlk today!

An electric school bus success story in rural Virginia

Since early 2021, Louisa County Public Schools has been operating two electric school buses (ESBs) as part of their fleet. These buses were two of the first electric school buses deployed in the Commonwealth and have since served as an example of how ESBs can serve a variety of school districts and their needs.

Louisa County is a rural school district, serving approximately 5,000 students with one high school, one middle school and four elementary schools.

Virginia's NEVI Plan approved!

With funding provided through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Commonwealth of Virginia is investing a projected $100 million over the next five years to install public electric vehicle charging stations across Virginia through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program.

Under the requirements of the NEVI Program, the initial phase of public charging stations will be located within one mile of Virginia's federally-designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (I-64, I-66, I-77, I-81, I-85, I-95, I-295, and I-495) to provide convenient and accessible charging to support the growing EV market in Virginia.

VCC is hiring!

VCC and CASE seek a qualified professional to serve as Administrative and Financial Coordinator to oversee the program’s administrative needs, accounting policies and procedures, and to provide support to a portfolio of sponsored projects and contracts. This position will include significant interaction with the university partner, James Madison University.

The position will be under the supervision of and provide support to two Executive Directors and other senior staff, and will provide assistance to project staff.

New and Returning Members!

Returning Coalition Member!

Petersburg Area Transit

New Coalition Member!

Interested in becoming a Virginia Clean Cities Member? Check out our membership page here or contact us with any questions!

Already a VCC member? Send us an email with any late breaking news or announcements that you want featured in next months newsletter!

Virginia Clean Cities