Coalition for Clean Air applauds Governor Newsom for signing AB 841, legislation to protect school health and help foster electric vehicle charger deployment
The Coalition for Clean Air applauds Governor Newsom for signing Assembly Bill 841. This important bill will protect health in schools and help deploy public electric vehicle chargers.
“Today is a win for schools, workers, electric vehicle drivers, and all Californians,” said Coalition for Clean Air Deputy Policy Director Chris Chavez. “Comfortable, healthy classrooms are important for student learning; being at school should not put students, teachers, and staff at risk.”
AB 841 will also bolster California’s efforts to deploy and support electric vehicles. “Signing AB 841 builds off the Governor’s bold Executive Order calling for all cars sold in California to be electric by 2035. Ensuring convenient access to public chargers is an important first step in making the vision of zero-emissions transportation a reality,” said Chavez.
AB 841, by Assembly Member Phil Ting, will use idle energy efficiency funds to install and modernize school HVAC systems. AB 841 will also streamline the process for approving public electric vehicle charger projects. Further, AB 841 will protect consumers and the public by creating training requirements for workers installing public chargers.
Many schools are in dire need of new HVAC systems. UC Davis found 85% of California’s classrooms lack proper ventilation. Modern HVAC systems keep classrooms at comfortable temperatures and protect human health by filtering out pollutants and pathogens. Additionally, modern systems are more efficient and will reduce school energy costs.
With over 726,000 EVs on the road, California is home to half of the nation’s electric vehicle fleet. Transportation is the leading source of both greenhouse gases and smog-forming pollutants. California has committed to deploying 5 million electric vehicles by 2030. The state will need a robust network of public chargers and fueling stations to support these vehicles.
“In addition to the Governor, we would like to thank the broad coalition of education, labor, public health and environmental advocates who made today’s victory possible,” said Chavez.
###
Coalition for Clean Air is a California non-profit organization that protects public health, improves air quality, and prevents climate change.