Electric School Buses: The Opportunity for Illinois

On September 14, 2022, the World Resources Institute and the Electrification Coalition hosted a roundtable discussion on the wide-ranging benefits of electric school buses and Illinois’ opportunities to accelerate their deployment.

Electric School Buses: The Opportunity for Illinois featured public-sector leaders, industry experts, EV advocates, and school district representatives. Participants engaged directly with experts on the latest policy, funding, and technology developments to chart Illinois’ electric school bus future.

Speakers

  • Aaron Viles, Director of Campaigns, Electrification Coalition
  • Katrina McLaughlin, Clean Energy Associate, World Resources Institute
  • Dr. Louise Giles, Pediatric Pulmonologist, University of Chicago
  • Senator Dick Durbin 
  • Julie Armitage, Chief, Bureau of Air, Illinois EPA
  • Lisa Clemmons Stott, eMobility and Innovation Director, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
  • Megha Lakhchaura, Moderator, Illinois Electric Vehicle Officer
  • Robert Wolfe, Finance Officer, Illinois State Board of Education
  • State Senator Cristina Castro
  • State Representative Robyn Gabel
  • David McEllis, Environmental Law & Policy Center
  • Anthony Maietta, Environmental Protection Agency
  • Dr. Lyndl Schuster, Moderator, River Trails SD, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services/CSBO
  • Philip Roy, ComEd, Director External Affairs
  • Dr. Ilandus Hampton, Joliet Township HSD 204, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services (View presentation)
  • Chad Jones, Hollis Consolidated SD, Superintendent
  • Haj Young, IEC Powered by Future Green, Associate Manager (View presentation)
  • Terri Aman, Kalamazoo School District (MI), Transportation Director 
  • Maggie Clancy, Chief Commercial Officer, Levo Mobility
  • Steve Letendre, PhD, Director of Policy, Nuvve
  • Nate A. Baguio, Senior Vice President of Commercial Development – USA, Lion Electric (View presentation)
  • Steve Kelley, Chief Commercial Officer, InCharge
  • Kelly White, EV Director, Navistar (View presentation)
  • Joshua Williams, Midwest Regional Manager, Market Development, Highland Electric (View presentation)
  • Susan Mudd, Senior Policy Advocate, Environmental Law & Policy Center
  • Amanda Pankau, Energy Campaign Coordinator, Prairie Rivers Network, Illinois Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation

Amy Malaki

Amy Malaki is the Director of Partnerships and Policy at SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas, pioneering global leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production and supply. Prior to SkyNRG, Amy was the Associate Director for the transportation portfolio at the ClimateWorks Foundation where she developed philanthropic investment strategies to advance a sustainable, equitable and low-carbon mobility system. She also pioneered the organization’s international aviation decarbonization strategy. Prior to that she focused on Asia business development at Better Place, a Silicon Valley electric vehicle network startup. She has a B.A. in Chinese and China studies from the University of Washington and an M.A. in international policy studies (energy and environment) from Stanford University.