LEVITTOWN, N.Y. — Local leaders on Long Island are pushing back against a state plan that would require electric school buses.
The state’s 2022-23 budget set a mandate that requires all new buses to be zero-emission by 2027, and the entire fleet to be zero-emission by 2035.
FLASHBACK: New York City school bus fleet will be 100% electric by 2035, Mayor De Blasio says
From the Levittown Schools bus yard on Sunday, senators said the plan raises serious financial and safety concerns, including the higher cost of the electric buses.
“Encouraging the governor, encouraging the state Legislature to pump the brakes on this electric bus mandate until the technology catches up and until we have an actual plan to be able to implement this,” state Sen. Steve Rhoads said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul said, in part, “Old school buses are putting children’s health at risk, spewing toxic fumes and pollutants in the air that have negative health impacts.”
The spokesperson added that the state is using $500 million from the Environmental Bond Act.
News Related-
Russian court extends detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich until end of January
-
Russian court extends detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges
-
Israel's economy recovered from previous wars with Hamas, but this one might go longer, hit harder
-
Stock market today: Asian shares mixed ahead of US consumer confidence and price data
-
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Sister Wives' star Christine Brown says her kids' happy marriages inspired her leave Kody Brown
-
NBA fans roast Clippers for losing to Nuggets without Jokic, Murray, Gordon
-
Panthers-Senators brawl ends in 10-minute penalty for all players on ice
-
CNBC Daily Open: Is record Black Friday sales spike a false dawn?
-
Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas
-
High stakes and glitz mark the vote in Paris for the 2030 World Expo host
-
Biden’s unworkable nursing rule will harm seniors
-
Jalen Hurts: We did what we needed to do when it mattered the most
-
LeBron James takes NBA all-time minutes lead in career-worst loss
-
Vikings' Kevin O'Connell to evaluate Josh Dobbs, path forward at QB