Capital District Times

Assemblyman Scott Bendett, representing Sand Lake, has expressed his support for legislation that would permit school districts to request a waiver from the commissioner of education. This waiver would allow them to opt out of certain zero-emission school bus requirements scheduled for full implementation by July 1, 2027.

Bendett emphasized the need to balance sustainability with practicality, ensuring that school districts can offer safe and reliable transportation without compromising educational opportunities. "New York’s school districts are as diverse as the state itself," said Bendett. "This one-size-fits-all mandate does not account for the real-world obstacles faced by rural and underserved districts."

While acknowledging the importance of sustainability, Bendett pointed out significant economic and logistical challenges in transitioning to zero-emission buses. The cost of these buses is estimated to be two to four times higher than traditional internal combustion engine buses, posing a financial strain on school districts. An analysis suggests that the total cost of this mandate could range from $8 billion to $15.25 billion, excluding infrastructure and facility upgrades.

"These costs, combined with all the other unknowns of this mandate, is inevitably going to be a burden placed on the shoulders of those who never asked for it in the first place," stated Bendett. "We champion democracy but imposing a statewide mandate on communities that oppose it is far from it."