Leading The Charge: Advocacy Organizations at the Forefront of the Electric School Bus Transition
Learn more about some of the organizations that have worked for years to get electric school buses on the agenda.
The thousands of electric school buses on the road, or on their way, to districts across the country are the result of sustained advocacy from many local and national organizations. For years, these groups have organized communities, educated policymakers and worked with school districts to ensure that students across the country have a clean ride on electric school buses — and can leave diesel behind once and for all.
Their efforts have created unprecedented momentum. From steering Volkswagen Settlement funding to electric school buses, to putting a clean ride for kids on the national agenda and bringing that agenda to life through the $5 billion EPA Clean School Bus Program, these organizations are the reason we can say “the electric school bus moment is here.”
And, many of them are only getting started.
Below are some of the groups leading the charge. The list is far from complete, and WRI is proud to partner with many of these organizations. We encourage you to explore their resources and connect with and support their work to electrify school buses.
If you know of an organization that may be missing from the list below, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Image
| Alliance for Electric School BusesThe Alliance for Electric School Buses is a diverse partnership of nonprofit organizations united by a commitment to fully transition the nation’s school bus fleet to electric models that will clean up the air for 25 million U.S. children and the communities these buses travel through — starting in the communities most harmed by air pollution. |
Image
| Alliance of Nurses for Healthy EnvironmentsThe Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments is the only national nursing organization focused solely on the intersection of health and the environment. The mission of the Alliance is to support nurses in promoting planetary health and equity globally by educating and leading the nursing profession, advancing research, incorporating planet-safe practice, and influencing policy. |
Image
| Canadian Electric School Bus AllianceThe Canadian Electric School Bus Alliance is a public voice in favor of accelerating the uptake of electric school buses. CESBA supports and rallies stakeholders from diverse sectors across Canada to develop strategies and recommendations at the federal and provincial levels of government that will enable all Canadian school bus fleets to transition from diesel to electric power by 2040. |
Image
| ChispaChispa is a grassroots community organizing program building the power of Latino and communities of color in the fight for climate justice. |
Image
| Chispa MarylandChispa Maryland is a program of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV), a state-wide, nonpartisan organization that uses political action and education to protect our air, land, water, and communities. Chispa Maryland builds leadership and civic engagement to ensure Latino voices are heard in decisions affecting air quality, public health, and climate policy. Through organizing, education, and advocacy, the program addresses the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by Latino communities, including higher rates of asthma and pollution exposure |
Image
| Clean Energy WorksClean Energy Works accelerates inclusive investments that open the clean energy economy to all. |
Image
| Coalition for Clean AirThe Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) is California’s leading statewide advocate exclusively dedicated to protecting public health and preventing climate change. Since 1971, CCA has pioneered initiatives to reduce vehicle pollution and secure clean air investments for the most impacted communities. Today, we empower stakeholders to accelerate the transition to zero-emission technologies and defend landmark environmental standards for a breathable future. |
Image
| EarthjusticeEarthjustice is the premier nonprofit public interest environmental law organization, wielding the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health and combat climate change. |
Image
| Electric School Bus NewsletterThe Electric School Bus Newsletter engages a nationwide audience with curated, unscripted information and insights. |
Image
| Environmental Law & Policy CenterThe Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. |
Image
| ÉquiterreAs one of the main environmental organizations in Québec, Équiterre seeks to make the necessary collective transitions towards an equitable and environmentally sound future more tangible, accessible and inspiring. Since 1993, Équiterre has worked with citizens, organizations and governments to develop projects in transportation, agriculture, energy, consumption and climate change. |
Image
| Generation180Generation180 inspires and equips people to take action to advance clean energy in their homes and communities. Through its Electrify Our Schools program, Generation180 provides inspiration, resources and support to help K-12 schools access the benefits of clean energy and clean transportation. The organization supports the transition to electric school buses by elevating district leadership, sharing funding opportunities and resources, and connecting school leaders with peer networks and technical assistance. |
Image
| Green Communities CanadaGreen Communities Canada supports grassroots-led climate action through a national network to share resources, co-create innovative programming, and elevate our collective impact. Our programs and services focus on key areas of national transformation, including active school travel, bus electrification, low-carbon home energy solutions, and nature-rich cities. |
Image
| Jobs to Move AmericaJobs to Move America is a strategic policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. They seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. |
Image
| Moms Clean Air ForceMoms Clean Air Force is a community of over 1 million moms and dads united against air pollution — including the urgent crisis of our changing climate — to protect our children’s health. |
Image
| Mothers Out FrontSince 2018, Mothers Out Front's community teams have been advocating with school districts to transition to electric school buses to ensure kids have a healthy ride to school. As part of our Sustainable Schools Resilient Communities campaign, we're committed to helping districts switch to electric school buses because it's one of the fastest ways to reduce emissions, improve health outcomes, and show our kids every day that we are working to give them a brighter future." |
Image
| New York League of Conservation VotersThe New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) and its affiliated 501(c)(3), the NYLCV Education Fund (NYLCVEF), are statewide, nonpartisan environmental organizations working to advance renewable energy, clean air and water, open space, and environmental protection across New York. NYLCV works to lobby state and local governments on environmental policy, provide objective information to the public, and hold elected officials. NYLCVEF leads public education, civic engagement, and community-based programs that educate New Yorkers and empower them to take action on climate and sustainability issues. |
Image
| Sierra Club Clean Transportation for AllSierra Club's Clean Transportation for All campaign believes that we can tackle the climate crisis and clean up our air by shifting to pollution-free electric school buses and vehicles, creating accessible public transit and making our communities more walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly. |
Image
| Southern Alliance for Clean EnergyThe Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible and equitable energy choices to ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. |
Image
| Virginia Clinicians for Climate ActionVirginia Clinicians for Climate Action educates and mobilizes clinician leaders to bring the health voice to climate policymaking in Virginia through advocacy, education/research and community outreach. |