Program based on Senator Reverend Warnock’s legislation to fund zero emission school buses, including electric buses, signed into law Monday as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

New $5 billion investment will help bolster electric school buses and protect children from harmful air pollution

Senator Reverend Warnock: “I’m thrilled to work with leaders at Blue Bird to get these investments flowing to Georgia and other manufacturers across the nation, so we can start greening our yellow school buses in earnest for the next generation” 

Fort Valley’s Blue Bird Corporation applauded Senator Warnock’s leadership to secure funds supporting green school bus technology, Blue Bird buses service nearly 6,700 school districts

President and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation: “The infrastructure legislation, besides cutting air pollution linked to asthma, also is expected to drive demand for American-made vehicle technology, including batteries, resulting in new jobs. Every time a district is able to choose a greener alternative, we take a big step in providing a better, cleaner future for our children and communities”

Back in May, Senator Warnock visited Blue Bird to explore and expand electric busing in Georgia– WATCH MORE on NBC 41

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) applauded the signing of his $5 billion provision to implement greener, cleaner and environmentally-safer busing options for students in Georgia and across the country as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The provision, based on Senator Warnock’s Clean Commute for Kids Act, will transition buses that run on diesel fuel to zero to low-emission buses. This federal funding will help support and grow jobs at Georgia companies like Fort Valley’s Blue Bird Corporation, which has been an industry leader in green commute technology.

“Thanks to the foresight and innovation of companies like the Blue Bird Corporation, Georgia is already leading the nation in producing the technology that is helping modernize our school buses, protect children’s health and keep our air clean while also creating the sustainable, good-paying jobs that will move our economy into the future,” Senator Reverend Warnock said. “I was proud to champion $5 billion in the infrastructure package for boosting electric bus production, which will help further these efforts, and I’m so glad we’ve finally gotten it over the finish line. I’m thrilled to work with leaders at Blue Bird to get these investments flowing to Georgia and other manufacturers across the nation, so we can start greening our yellow school buses in earnest for the next generation.” 

Since assuming office, Senator Warnock has made it a point to help transition Georgia and the nation to a sustainable future that combats the growing threat of climate change, protects the health and safety of Georgians from pollutants, and creates good-paying clean-energy jobs. Back in April, Senator Warnock introduced the Clean Commute for Kids Act to transition old yellow diesel school buses to greener, emission-reducing ones. Thanks to Senator Warnock’s leadership, millions of Georgia students and students across the country will have cleaner air to breathe on their way to school. This measure follows Senator Warnock commitment to creating sustainable jobs that are good for the environment and our economy. Earlier this year, Senator Warnock fought to keep 2,600 clean-energy jobs in Georgia, and while in office has met with several clean-energy leaders to advance efforts to address climate change will creating good-paying jobs.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is the type of legislation that will advance the deployment of alternative-power buses, allowing school districts to easily replace aging diesel models with ones that have zero and low emissions,” said Matthew Stevenson, President and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Blue Bird is very encouraged that the deal will accelerate climate friendly student transportation and supports a nationwide EV charging infrastructure that will benefit the environment and, most importantly, the health of our children.”

CEO Stevenson continued, “The infrastructure legislation, besides cutting air pollution linked to asthma, also is expected to drive demand for American-made vehicle technology, including batteries, resulting in new jobs. Every time a district is able to choose a greener alternative, we take a big step in providing a better, cleaner future for our children and communities.”

Senator Warnock made a visit to Blue Bird bus plant in Fort Valley to get a firsthand look at their leadership and innovation in green bus technology, and learn more about how the federal government can better support and expand initiatives to lower vehicle emissions. Investments in modern infrastructure through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will lead to increased demand for school buses powered by alternatives to diesel: nearly 25 million American children are exposed to air pollution daily, riding over 500,000 school buses that are primarily powered by diesel fuel.

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