Republicans want to postpone the implementation of e-buses, which they consider a burdensome and costly state mandate

New York⁤ Republicans Request Delay of Mandate to Replace School Buses with E-Vehicles

State Assemblyman⁣ Phil Palmesano called the requirements ⁢the “mother of ​all unfunded state mandates.”‌ State Sen. George Borrello ‍said, ‍“Like ‍so much of the state’s climate agenda, there is no cost-benefit analysis of this mandate or any realistic plan ‍for how to pay​ for it.”

The mandate, which went into effect in 2022, requires ‍new school bus purchases to be zero emission by 2027 and all school⁣ buses in operation to be electric by 2035. Republicans want to push that⁣ deadline out ​to 2045, and examine the results of studies of the e-vehicles’‌ reliability.

Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, said school ⁣officials across the state “are becoming increasingly⁣ concerned about the tremendous financial and operational challenges ‌associated with this one-size-fits-all requirement.”

“This mandated conversion will⁤ have a price tag in the billions, with New ⁢York state taxpayers simply expected to foot the bill,” he ⁢said.

Palmesano, R-Corning, said it will ratchet up costs for school ⁣districts, and ultimately taxpayers.

“At‌ a time when our state is bleeding billions of dollars because of the migrant crisis and school aid cuts are hitting rural and suburban districts, neither our schools nor our taxpayers can shoulder⁣ crushing new costs,” Palmesano said in a statement.

The lawmakers say the upgrades would cost the state and school districts between $8 billion and ​$15.25⁢ billion more than the cost ‍of replacing them with ‍new diesel buses. ⁣Meanwhile,⁣ utilities⁣ have said the electrical ‍upgrades needed to charge the buses could run⁤ as high ⁤as $15 billion statewide.

The average new electric school bus​ costs about $400,000, compared to ‌traditional gas-powered buses which cost around $130,000, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Borrello and other Republicans have filed a bill that⁢ would rescind⁢ the electric‍ bus mandate and replace it with⁤ a state-funded pilot program that would allow schools ⁣to test the vehicles.

Another bill would require the state Department of Education to conduct a cost feasibility analysis for each school district before requiring them to ‍comply with the mandate.

Critics of New York’s mandate​ note that other states with cold winters​ have been experiencing problems with the charging of the ‍vehicles ⁤that limits their reliability. They cite reports that electric ⁣buses are “gathering dust” in garages because⁤ of mechanical problems and hard to access parts and‍ technical support.

Borrello said while⁢ other states are testing the feasibility of electric buses for their regions through pilot programs, New York⁣ Democrats “rushed‍ to ​enact a mandate” ⁤without gauging the impact.

“This is a ⁣movie we’ve seen before ‍in ​Albany and it never ends ⁢well,” he said.

Require school districts to spend millions of dollars to replace their entire fleet ⁡of⁣ buses with electric vehicles,” Borrello said. “Many school⁢ districts ⁤are ⁣still struggling to make ends⁣ meet, and this mandate will​ only‌ put ⁢further‍ financial strain on⁤ them.”

What is the rationale ⁢behind the proposal to require school districts to replace their entire fleet of buses with electric vehicles?

The proposal to ⁣require school districts to replace​ their entire ⁢fleet of buses with electric vehicles ⁢is driven by several rationales:

1) Environmental Benefits: Electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and improving air quality in communities.⁢ This shift aligns⁣ with efforts ‍to combat climate change and promote sustainable transportation.

2) Health Benefits: Electric buses‌ eliminate the emission ‍of harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which can⁢ contribute to respiratory issues, especially in children. By switching to​ electric buses, school districts aim to create healthier environments for ⁣students and communities.

3) Cost Savings: Though electric buses have higher upfront costs compared to traditional diesel‌ counterparts, ⁢they have lower operating and‍ maintenance costs⁣ over⁤ their lifespan. Electric buses require less ‍fuel and have fewer complex engine parts, resulting in potential long-term savings for school⁤ districts.

4) Noise Reduction: Electric buses operate quietly, reducing ​noise pollution in ‌residential areas⁤ near schools and benefiting the well-being of students and residents.

5) Technological Advancements: The push for electric buses contributes to the overall development and adoption of electric vehicle​ technology. As the electric ‍vehicle market grows, technological advancements may result in​ more affordable‌ options, increased charging infrastructure, and improved battery technology for future school bus fleets.

Overall, the rationale behind the proposal focuses on reducing ‍emissions, improving public‍ health, saving costs, reducing noise, and driving innovation in the transportation sector.

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