Clinton Global Initiative(CGI) demonstration project partner wins grant to build All Electric School Buses

Largest EV School Bus Project in nation will be the first to launch school buses fitted with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology

WASHINGTON DC:  The Commissioners of the California Energy Commission today (7/22/14) approved a grant to National Strategies, LLC (NSI) for $1.4M for an all electric school bus demonstration program in California, the largest EV school bus demonstration in the nation and the first to deploy Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology.  The demonstration is part of a Clinton Global Initiative – America (CGI- America) Commitment to Action to assist in launching the market for zero emission, all electric school buses in the U.S.  Coupled with a previously awarded grant to NSI from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the total of $2.2M in California will lead to the development of six all electric school buses that will be deployed in Torrance Unified School District (TUSD), Kings Canyon USD and Napa Valley USD.

Kevin Matthews, Managing Director for NSI, and Co-Project Director of the EV School Bus Demonstration project said; “We are very pleased to have received this award from the California Energy Commission and thank them and the South Coast Air Quality Management District for their support.  This is the largest demonstration of zero emission school buses in the country and the first to utilize V2G technology to aid in reducing student transportation costs.  We are looking forward to working with all of the project participants in California to demonstrate that all electric, zero emission school buses can deliver students safely and cost effectively in school districts across California and the U.S.  The project will show that we can remove children from diesel emissions and improve air quality while simultaneously reducing the cost of student transportation and supporting the utility grid.”

The goal of the project is to demonstrate and document that the total cost of ownership of all electric school buses is equal to or less than that of traditional diesel powered school buses.  The demonstration will document the reduced costs of operating all electric school buses through lower fuel and maintenance costs, the potential to generate revenue by supplying energy stored in the school buses batteries back to the utility grid when not transporting students, as well the reduction of harmful emissions into the air we breathe.  The revenue generation component of the demonstration is done by new, but proven technology known as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and will be one of several technology projects to be tested during the demonstration.  Other areas to be studied, but not limited to are: the all electric school buses performance characteristics, range of operation, emissions reductions and Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) technology, where the school buses can provide power to buildings or other facilities during a power outage or post disaster situation.

The project’s additional Commitment to Action partners are:  PJM Interconnection, E&Y, NRG, Drive Oregon, The County of Los Angeles and Drive Oregon.  The six buses for the California demonstration will be built by Transpower of Poway, CA.

Background Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoZ_ikmEKIk&list=PLfVI33Fs1iHl4RptdqNsOHUZnmILowuTb&index=2

About CGI America

The Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America), a program of the Clinton Global Initiative, addresses economic recovery in the United States. Established in June 2011 by President Bill Clinton, CGI America brings together leaders in business, government, and civil society to generate and implement commitments to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, foster innovation, and support workforce development in the United States. Since its first meeting, CGI America participants have made over 300 commitments valued at more than $15 billion when fully funded and implemented. To learn more, visit cgiamerica.org.

Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders year-round and at its Annual Meeting to create and implement solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI also convenes CGI University, which brings together undergraduate and graduate students to address pressing challenges in their communities and around the world. To date, members of the CGI community have made more than 2,800 Commitments to Action, which are already improving the lives of more than 430 million people in over 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $103 billion. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org and follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative.

About NSI

NSI is a state and local government consulting firm providing government relations, government sales, public affairs, research and strategic planning services. The firm is organized around seven sector practices, including sustainability, technology, public safety, health care, transportation, education and financial services. In addition, NSI has built a network of over 2500 consultants across the country. This network covers all 50 states as well as the largest 100 cities and largest 100 counties. NSI has become nationally known for its success in generating revenue for its clients, solving problems and creating opportunities through government relations activities, and developing and executing new ideas to help transform government across the country.