Dr. Hongwan Li Named Stakeholder of the Year by Clean Cities Coalition

At the 29th Annual Awards Luncheon hosted by the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) and the Central Oklahoma Clean Cities Coalition, Dr. Hongwan Li of the OU Hudson College of Public Health was named Stakeholder of the Year, an honor recognizing her leadership on the RECHARGE-OK initiative—an innovative project aimed at transforming how communities in Oklahoma respond to energy disruptions and public health challenges.

“This award is a testament to the incredible collaboration among Shawnee Public Schools, OG&E, and our broader team,” said Dr. Li. “I’m thrilled that our work on clean energy and environmental resilience is gaining attention across the state.”

Leading a Charge Toward Resilience

RECHARGE-OK is a pioneering initiative supported by the National Science Foundation’s CIVIC Innovation Program. It aims to improve energy resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect public health by integrating Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology into electric school buses (ESBs) in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Dr. Li leads the project as Principal Investigator, alongside Co-PI Dr. Changjie Cai and Dr. Dan Li, combining expertise in environmental health, energy resilience, and community-based public health outcomes.

Their research focuses on how ESBs can provide emergency backup power during severe weather events, support clean air goals, and improve health equity across vulnerable populations.

“This project is a true reflection of our mission at the College,” Dr. Li said. “By focusing on preventive public health interventions and integrating science, policy, and education, we are helping to shape a more resilient future for communities across Oklahoma.”

A Statewide Collaboration for Community Impact

RECHARGE-OK brings together an impressive coalition of partners, including:

• OG&E, a co-leader providing energy management expertise and implementing V2G integration

• Shawnee Public Schools, the site and steward of the electric school bus fleet

• IC Bus, providing the ESBs and ongoing technical support

• City of Shawnee, ensuring alignment with emergency preparedness strategies
• Gordon Cooper Technology Center, delivering workforce training
• ACOG and INCOG, supporting policy alignment and sustainability goals

• University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, contributing advanced research in battery systems, data analysis, and grid technology

Together, these organizations are shaping a statewide model for resilient, sustainable infrastructure that bridges environmental innovation and public health.

A Brighter, Healthier Future

By placing electric school buses at the center of energy resilience planning, RECHARGE-OK not only addresses immediate risks related to extreme weather and power outages—it lays the groundwork for long-term environmental health improvements.

The OU Hudson College of Public Health is proud to lead the way in applying science-driven, community-focused strategies that protect public health and promote sustainable innovation. Dr. Li’s recognition as Stakeholder of the Year reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to interdisciplinary solutions for the most pressing health challenges of our time.

Stay tuned for continued updates as RECHARGE-OK scales its impact across the state and serves as a national model for resilient, equitable energy infrastructure.