A mandate requiring schools across New York State to switch to all-electric buses is being pushed back five years.
"It's welcome news," said State Senator George Borrello, (R NY-57). "But let's not be fooled. This is an election year, kick the can down the road, kind of stunt in my opinion."
Borrello has been an outspoken critic of the mandate. He claims the state's climate directive is an "unfunded, unworkable mandate" for school districts.
"Districts have said they can't afford it. They don't have the electrical infrastructure. It's a massive unfunded mandate. And,what's going to change in five years? We still have nothing to prove that it's going to be workable."
School districts are currently required to begin purchasing exclusively electric buses next year and would be required to convert their entire fleet by 2035.
Borrello is waiting for the actual language in the bill, part of the late state budget, but is assuming the mandate is being pushed back to 2040.
The lawmaker points out that this is a $20 million dollar unfunded mandate just for the electric buses. Not to mention the multi billion dollars needed for the electrical infrastructure.
"Companies like National Grid are saying that even in five more years they're not going to have the supply needed to electrify all of the state's school districts. Again, the governor sees this as a threat to her re-election. This is a truly political move," added Borrello.
The discussions come as state budget talks continue in overtime.The budget is 45 days late. The state legislature has passed 12 budget extenders.
"This is an election year, kick the can down the road, stunt"
"This is an election year, kick the can down the road, stunt"
