Board hears discussion and plans letter to PSC raising concerns about feasibility of state EV bus mandate
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Summary
Board members reported they are joining a petition from the Lower Hudson Education Coalition and will send a letter to the New York State Public Service Commission asking for a study and reconsideration of the timeline and electrical‑capacity assumptions for the electric school bus mandate, citing an estimated $34 million infrastructure cost to the district.
During the budget discussion board members raised concerns about the state’s electric school bus mandate and the infrastructure costs required for the district to comply. Members said the district’s estimate for bus‑fleet electrification and site infrastructure is approximately $34 million, with roughly $4 million expected from incentives, leaving a large local funding gap.
A board member described a coalition effort: "Lower Hudson Education Coalition did a letter in support of petition... they did a letter to the New York State Public Service Commission explaining that it is impossible for all of us to have the infrastructure and actually have power to power all of these buses," and said the district will send a similar letter using the coalition’s template.
Board members and administrators discussed the problem of limited local electrical capacity and the need for more state planning or a study to identify feasible timelines and infrastructure needs before districts begin large capital investments. The board requested staff to proceed with sending the letter on behalf of the district.
