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Georgia Officials and Transportation Advocates Say It’s Time for Bold Federal Investment in Clean Transportation

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Press Statement August 5, 2021

Contact: Seth Palmer, NP Strategy, seth@npstrategy.com, 919.653.7816

Savannah, GA — Today, Savannah Aldermen Nick Palumbo and Kurtis Purtee, along with SCCPSS School Board Member Denise Grabowski and environmental and transportation advocates, urged the state’s elected leaders in Washington to support federal investments in clean transportation infrastructure. Moms Clean Air Force Georgia and Blue Bird Corporation hosted the press conference as part of a series of grassroots events coordinated by the Climate Action Campaign.

“Leaders must join us to deliver on the promise of a better America,” said Tonya Calhoun, Ph.D., National Field Manager, Moms Clean Air Force. “We need investments in our communities to fight climate change, pollution, and environmental injustices.”

As the Biden administration and Congress consider broad infrastructure proposals and investments in clean transportation, speakers thanked U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock for his climate leadership. They urged him to continue supporting clean energy growth and expanding the market for clean vehicles and buses to improve public health and create economic opportunities for all Georgians.

“We truly appreciate Senator Warnock’s strong leadership on electric school buses,” said Hinton Harrison, Senior Technical Specialist-Electric Vehicles, Blue Bird Corporation. “He has been a true advocate for the 25M kids who ride school buses each day, even introducing the Clean Commute for Kids Act in the U.S. Senate. As a Georgia based company since 1927, we know the importance of his actions and look forward to continuing to work with Senator Warnock and the whole Georgia congressional delegation to secure additional funds for electric school buses.”

Transportation accounts for the largest source of climate-harming carbon pollution in the U.S. Modernizing our transportation sector and investing in clean school and transit buses are critical to combating climate change, which makes extreme weather events like heat waves, droughts, and wildfires more frequent and intense.

“Congress must support bold investments in clean transportation and resilient infrastructure to ensure a brighter future for all Americans,” said Savannah Alderman Nick Palumbo. “Savannah is leading the way to build a cleaner, more resilient city and we need action now to protect our coastal communities from the largest global crisis of this generation. Savannah’s future will be sustainable, stronger, and resilient, and we’re calling on Congress to rise to the challenge.”

Investments in clean transportation and electric buses and vehicles are essential to meeting our nation’s climate goals, reducing air pollution, improving public health, achieving environmental justice, and spurring the economy. E-transit buses are already rolling out in Savannah, and electric school buses are on the road in Georgia’s school districts. Meaningful federal investments can spur the advancement of such programs, leading to cleaner air, reduced fuel costs, and more family-sustaining jobs for our communities.

“Investment in clean transportation infrastructure is essential for the health of our children,” said Savannah-Chatham County Public School Board Member Denise Grabowski. “Children are not simply little adults and the impacts of air pollution take a greater toll on their developing lungs, whether they are riding the bus, riding their bike, or walking to school. Through clean transportation investments, we can chart a course for a healthier future together.”

Recent polling has found that 71% of the public supports investments to tackle the climate crisis, including voters in Georgia.

“This is not just a local problem, it is a global issue,” said Savannah Alderman Kurtis Purtee. “While we are starting this movement locally, it is vital that our state and federal leaders join us to save our environment and protect our health.”

For a video of the press conference, see HERE.

About Moms Clean Air Force: Our mission is to protect children from air pollution and climate change. We envision a safe, stable, and equitable future where all children breathe clean air. We are a community of 1.5 million moms and dads united against air pollution – including the urgent crisis of our changing climate – to protect our children’s health. We fight for Justice in Every Breath, recognizing the importance of equitable solutions in addressing air pollution and climate change. For more information, go to https://www.momscleanairforce.org or follow us on Twitter @CleanAirMoms, Instagram @cleanairmoms, or Facebook.

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