Capital District Times

Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R,C-Sand Lake) has joined his colleagues in the Assembly Minority in advocating for a delay to the all-electric school bus purchase mandate, which is scheduled to commence in 2027. This mandate is a component of the controversial Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and has raised serious concerns regarding its feasibility and cost implications for school districts across New York.

"The current timeline for transitioning to all-electric school bus fleets places an undue burden on our school districts, both financially and logistically. We must prioritize the well-being of our students and taxpayers by reassessing this mandate and providing an appropriate amount of time for school districts to accommodate such lofty goals. A thorough cost-benefit analysis and a revision of the current timeline to ensure the sustainability and affordability of this transition is basic common sense," said Bendett.

Bendett's call for a delay to the mandate is driven by concerns about the financial and logistical challenges that school districts may face in meeting the requirements within the given timeframe. The Assemblyman emphasizes the importance of considering the well-being of students and taxpayers in the decision-making process surrounding this mandate.

The push for a delay to the all-electric school bus mandate highlights the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with such a transition. By reassessing the timeline and ensuring the sustainability and affordability of the shift to electric school buses, Bendett and his colleagues aim to address the practical implications of the mandate on school districts in New York.