For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Anjuli.Ramos@sierraclub.org
Electric School Bus Bill Passes Senate Budget Committee; Bill Will Provide $45 Million For School Districts To Purchase Electric School Buses
Trenton – The NJ Senate Budget Committee passed S759 (Diegnan/Greenstein) this afternoon by an 8-4 vote. The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to develop and implement a three-year “Electric School Bus Program.” The purpose of the program is to determine the operational reliability and cost effectiveness of replacing diesel-powered school buses with electric school buses for daily transportation of students. This bill provides for $15 million in the first year and $15 million annually in subsequent two years to NJDEP, a total of $45 million subject to availability, to provide grants.
Environmental groups including NJ Sierra Club, Environment New Jersey, NJ Environmental Justice Alliance, and more supported the bill and urged for swift passage by the full NJ State Senate later this month. S759 passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee on February 3rd, 2022, by a 6-0-1 vote and similar legislation passed the Senate in December by a 35-3 vote. The NJ Assembly passed the legislation (A1282) by a 47-31-1 vote on May 26.
“Our legislators took one giant step towards making electric school buses a reality for NJ. Thank you to the bill sponsors and the Senate Budget Committee members for supporting and passing this important piece of legislation that will help our children breathe easier. The bill, S759(Diegnan/Greenstein), gives the state an opportunity to put more electric school buses on the road, fully understand how electric school buses would work in all areas of the State, utilize vehicle to grid technologies, and most importantly, reduce toxic diesel emissions that our children are breathing, said Anjuli Ramos- Busot, New Jersey Director of the Sierra Club. “The economic and environmental benefits of using electric buses far outweigh using diesel buses. New Jersey has a chance to use this incredible technology now. That’s why it is critical for our state legislature to get this bill on Governor Murphy’s desk to sign.”
“Pollution from the tailpipe emissions of heavy-duty diesel vehicles should be a thing of the past because the technology already exists to move us into a zero-emissions reality. Children should not bear the health burden of our inaction any longer. I am excited to see what this important bill will make possible for the students of our state,” said Lori Caughman, Esq., New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance.
“More than 15 years ago, New Jersey voters overwhelming supported a ballot question to clean up dirty diesel school buses. Back then, we didn’t have any other option. Today, states around the country are leading the way to make the transition to electric school buses. Diesel emissions seep into the cabin of existing school buses and into the lungs of our children. It’s time to protect our kids’ health and our air quality by taking the first step to electrification. We thank Sen Diegnan’s leadership on this legislation and we urge its passage in the full Senate,” said Doug O’Malley, Director of Environment New Jersey.
“New Jersey’s students are ready to move into the future on zero-emissions school buses. It’s especially critical that communities that bear the burden of the cumulative impacts of air pollution from heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses, along with other environmental and climate risks, are the first to make this important transition away from diesel burning buses,” said Melissa Miles, Executive Director, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance.
“Critically, this legislation will give New Jersey more operational experience with electric school buses which is needed. Especially since declining costs and federal incentives are paving the way to a large scale conversation that will benefit children with cleaner air and taxpayers with lower fueling and maintenance costs!” said Pamela Frank, CEO of ChargEVC-NJ.
“We know the transportation sector is New Jersey’s leading cause of emissions, and that includes dirty diesel school buses. Today, we are one step closer to helping our students, especially those who live in already overburdened communities, breathe cleaner air,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey LCV. “Moving to an electric vehicle future will reduce our emissions and localized air pollution, and it is essential for the health of New Jersey’s children. We look forward to this bill coming for a full Senate vote and being signed into law.”