Senator Jim Tedisco is urging the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to disclose key information regarding a new state mandate. This law, set to take effect in 2027, will prohibit school districts from purchasing non-electric buses.
Tedisco has outlined specific requests for NYSERDA. He seeks "a detailed list of school districts that have completed a Fleet Electrification Study," insights into how many districts have moved from planning to infrastructure installation, and preliminary data on costs associated with these electrification plans.
The mandate, introduced in 2022, stipulates that all new school buses must be zero emission by 2027, with full fleet electrification required by 2035. Critics point out the lack of consideration for geographical disparities and unique travel demands across New York's diverse school districts.
“The goal of having several clean energy options is a good one," said Senator Tedisco. However, he emphasized the need for transparency and affordability to avoid adding to the financial burden on taxpayers and local governments. The transition represents "a significant financial undertaking" for both school districts and the state budget.
Tedisco, along with other legislators, is advocating for Senate Bill 8467. This bill aims to replace the current mandate with a pilot program assessing electric bus performance across various regions in New York State.
“We need a reasonable approach," stated Tedisco. He highlighted his proposed legislation as a means to mitigate potential costs while enabling evaluation of electric bus effectiveness through state-funded trials.
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