Subject:
Tell your lawmakers to pass S.9667 (Ryan)/A.10896 (Solages) and extend the zero-emission school bus deadlines by five years.
Message:
Dear Legislator,
As your constituent and someone who cares deeply about both public education and our state's climate future, I urge you to support S.9667 (Ryan)/A.10896 (Solages) to extend the implementation deadlines for the zero-emission school bus mandate by five years.
Under current state law, school districts will be prohibited from purchasing new gasoline- or diesel-fueled buses after July 1, 2027, and must complete a full transition to zero-emission fleets by July 1, 2035. The goals behind these deadlines are sound, but it has become increasingly clear that the timeline is not achievable for districts across the state.
The barriers are significant. Zero-emission buses carry high upfront costs that strain already limited transportation budgets. Most existing bus depots cannot be converted without major electrical upgrades, and charging infrastructure remains scarce across much of the state. The buses themselves still face range and reliability challenges, particularly on long rural routes and in cold-weather conditions, where dependable performance is critical for both daily service and emergency evacuations. The growing reliance of districts on waivers from the mandated deadlines is a clear sign that the current timeline does not match operational reality on the ground.
A five-year extension is not a retreat from New York's climate goals. It is a pragmatic adjustment that gives districts the time they need to budget responsibly, expand charging infrastructure and develop comprehensive transition plans. This is especially important for rural and high-need districts, where the cost and logistical challenges of conversion are greatest. Without this adjustment, the mandate risks widening inequities between districts that can absorb the upfront costs and those that cannot.
Accordingly, I urge you to pass S.9667 (Ryan)/A.10896 (Solages) to extend the implementation deadlines by five years and give school districts the time and resources they need to plan and execute a successful transition to zero-emission fleets.
Thank you for your consideration of this important issue. I respectfully ask that you bring it up with your conference and I would greatly appreciate a response to this letter.
Sincerely,
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