In a move to combat climate change, New York State is mandating a complete shift to zero-emission school buses by 2035, starting with all new buses being electric by 2027.
Several state lawmakers, including State Senator Pam Helming, have written a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul. Senator Helming says the Governor should rescind this state mandate or commit to fully funding it.
New electric school buses cost upwards of $450-thousand dollars, compared to about 130-thousand dollars for gas powered buses. With 45,000 school buses in New York State, replacing them with electric buses would cost about $20-billion dollars.
School districts are raising the alarm on the unfunded electric school bus mandate and costs. We must listen. I've contacted the Governor urging her to rescind this state mandate or commit to fully funding it. I'll always work to protect our schools and local property taxpayers. pic.twitter.com/nvvjf4ZSc5
— Pam Helming (@SenatorHelming) December 18, 2023
