Relates to building aid for incremental zero-emission school bus infrastructure costs

• Democratic3

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Shelley Mayer says this is needed

New York State law requires all school districts to transition to an all zero-emission electric school bus fleet by 2035. The shift to zero emis- sion buses will provide significant benefits to our students, school communities and state as a whole. Replacing diesel and gas buses with electric buses reduces exposure of children to pollutants which can increase risk of asthma and otherwise harm children's health and devel- opment. And the states'law represents an important piece of our commit- ment to transitioning to a clean energy economy and drastically reducing our carbon emissions. While the benefits are myriad, school districts are navigating a whole host of new costs and logistical challenges as they plan for and begin to purchase or lease electric buses. These costs included necessary updates to school bus storage facilities. Storing ZEBs is essential to extend their range in the colder climates of New York, as well as to minimize the length of Charging times for school transportation. As districts prepare for the transition, they need to upgrade their garages and power infrastructure, including: installing higher power lifts due to increased vehicle weights, modify- ing their garage to allow for longer and taller ZEBs, improving elec- trical capacity, conductors, trenching, panels, and installing equipment for advanced fire suppression systems. Currently, districts cannot receive either building or transportation aid for these costs. This legislation would allow districts to access building aid for ZEB-related storage and utility costs incurred through the 2034-35 school year. Districts would be eligible to receive aid totaling the cost of the actual approved expenditures.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.