Appalachian Voices: West Virginia Companies Implementing Federal Manufacturing and Clean Energy Incentives

By Better Today On May 12, 2024

TL/DR –

In December 2023, four West Virginia school districts introduced new all-electric school buses. These buses, manufactured by Green-Power Motors in South Charleston, are part of a move towards more sustainable transportation. The districts are eligible for a Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit tax credit of up to $40,000 per bus, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted West Virginia $18 million under the Clean School Bus Program to help fund these purchases.

West Virginia School Districts Embrace Sustainable Transportation with Electric School Buses

In December 2023, West Virginia school districts in Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, and Monongalia counties took a significant step towards sustainable transportation. Welcoming new all-electric school buses, manufactured by Green-Power Motors located in South Charleston, West Virginia, the districts are pioneers in reducing emissions and promoting cleaner environments.

“This is the wave of the future,” says Kanawha County Schools Superintendent Tom Williams. “We need to get on the bus, literally, and move along.”

Williams proudly attests to Kanawha County Schools leading the shift, revealing that former students were part of the GreenPower team that built their bus. “With GreenPower’s impressive growth, we anticipate more of our graduates working there,” he adds.

School districts investing in GreenPower’s electric school buses benefit from Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit tax credits, providing up to $40,000 under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $18 million in support from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Clean School Bus Program for West Virginia counties to help purchase electric buses from Green Power.

Revitalizing Huntington’s Manufacturing Industry

In Huntington, West Virginia, the vacant ACF Industry’s machine shop is seeing a striking transformation as it prepares to become the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center. The center will offer equipment, training, and guidance to invigorate manufacturing and create job opportunities.

Mike Friel, the director of communications at the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center, says the facility will help meet industry demands and provide well-paying local jobs.

Receiving $550,221 from the Rural Development branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and additional funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Program, the center plans to double its welding program capacity and introduce robotics and aerospace welding programs.

The Inflation Reduction Act offers improved tax credits and incentives for manufacturers to boost domestic manufacturing capabilities and foster clean energy production.