Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) held a press conference in Albany earlier today to promote his Assembly Bill A.2005—same as Senate Bill S.3328, sponsored by Sen. Joseph A. Griffo (R,C)—which authorizes school districts to submit a waiver to the commissioner of education allowing them to officially opt out of certain zero-emission school bus requirements being implemented statewide. Smullen was joined by several speakers, including:

Sen. Joseph A. Griffo (R,C);
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning);
Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R,C-Sand Lake);
Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Lake George);
Dr. Nick Fitzgerald, Canajoharie Central School District Superintendent;
David Halloran, Gloversville Enlarged School District Superintendent;
Andrew Cook, Hartford Central School District Superintendent; and
Thomas McGurl, Granville Central School District Superintendent.

With more than 700 school districts in New York state facing full implementation of the zero-emission school bus mandate by July 1, 2027, Smullen asserts the transition to zero-emission buses is not achievable for many rural districts and that many will be unable to overcome the challenges associated with costs, electrical capacity, driver shortages, difficult terrain and weather-related issues.

“With that deadline approaching, many school districts are worried, and rightly so,” said Smullen. “While school leaders understand the effects of a changing climate on their districts and also understand the goals of the transition to all zero-emissions school buses, New York is one of the most socioeconomically and geographically diverse states in the nation. This rushed, complex transition to zero-emission buses is simply not achievable for a significant number of school districts statewide, especially rural districts.”

“I am pleased to have sponsored this legislation in the Senate and appreciate that Assemblyman Smullen has introduced it in the Assembly,” said Sen. Griffo. “The zero-emission school bus mandate has created a variety of legitimate challenges for many districts across the state, particularly those that are smaller and more rural. By allowing school districts to permanently opt out of this unrealistic and unreasonable requirement, we will ensure that they—and not politicians in Albany—are able to decide for themselves if they want to participate in this initiative.”

“The current timeline and lack of funding put the zero-emission school bus mandate (however laudable as an environmental and health goal) in competition with the actual education of children,” said David Little, executive director of the Rural Schools Association of New York State, representing nearly one half of the state’s school districts and one third of its students. “Getting kids to and from school should never interfere with their actual education, and without funding, and in light of the tax cap on local school tax levies, the mandate forces many rural districts to choose between complying with the mandate or upholding the state’s constitutional requirement of providing a sound, basic education to its children. Obviously, constitutional directives take precedence, and the state should acknowledge the conflict and adjust its policies accordingly. Assemblymember Smullen’s legislation does that and deserves consideration.”

At the press conference, Smullen, his Minority colleagues in the Assembly and Senate, and representatives from local school districts voiced their concerns, arguing that many school districts will be unable to overcome challenges associated with this legislation. Smullen warns, if left unaddressed, these barriers will force districts to increase taxes and overspend to be able to meet transition goals, ultimately reducing educational opportunities for our students.

“Our rural school districts deserve our support. There are too many case-by-case challenges, too many unknowns and too many unexpected costs if full implementation of the zero-emission school bus mandate by July 1, 2027 is enforced across all 700-plus New York state school districts. It should be up to our schools to decide whether they have the infrastructure, funding and capacity to transition to zero-emission school buses,” concluded Smullen.