D Dominion Energy Inc

   By Stephen Nakrosis 
 

Dominion Energy Virginia on Thursday said it planned to deploy electric school buses in the state, with the goal of replacing all diesel school buses in Virginia by 2030.

In coming weeks, the energy company said, it will solicit bids from bus manufacturers and expressions of interest from school districts.

The program would see Dominion Energy offset any additional costs of an electric school bus, including charging infrastructure, above the standard cost for a diesel bus.

Dominion said, "Replacing diesel-powered school buses with electric school buses will have a positive impact on the environment and improve air quality. An electric school bus produces zero emissions. Replacing a diesel bus with an electric bus is the equivalent of taking 5.2 cars off the road."

The company also said operational and maintenance costs are lower with electric school buses.

The initial phase of the program aims to have 50 buses fully operational within Dominion Energy's Virginia service territory by the end of 2020, the company said. Phase two would bring 1,000 electric school buses online by 2025, and the final phase has a goal for 50% of all diesel bus replacements to be electric by 2025 and 100% by 2030.

Dominion Energy Chairman, President and Chief Executive Thomas F. Farrell, II, said, "We think that electric school buses will provide a wide range of benefits for the customers and communities we serve, including cleaner air, cost savings for school districts, and enhanced grid reliability."

--Write to Stephen Nakrosis at stephen.nakrosis@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 29, 2019 12:59 ET (16:59 GMT)

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