To the Editor:
On May 17, residents of most New York state cities and towns have the opportunity to vote to either approve or deny the school budget and propositions, and to elect to the school board members who will represent their and their children’s interests.
Many school districts will be asking voters to pay for new or used school buses that run on fossil fuels.
On Nov. 4, 2021, 70% of New York state voters voted “yes” to the Environmental Amendment to the New York State Constitution, prioritizing clean water, clean air and a healthful environment for all. On Jan. 6, 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a goal to electrify all New York school bus fleets by 2035. A mandate in the state budget passed on April 11, 2022, states that as of 2027, new school buses must be electric, and the entire fleet must be zero emission by 2035.
So why wait? Why not transition to electric now?
There are already grants and rebates available in New York state that cover incremental costs to purchase electric buses and related charging infrastructure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean School Bus Program (https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus) will provide $5 billion for the transition to electric buses over five years. Application to the EPA program is open May 15 through Aug. 15.
There are many environmental reasons to discontinue use of fossil fuel powered vehicles, including school buses. One of the most important health reasons to “go electric” is to help children who have respiratory illnesses such as asthma, who are exposed to toxic fumes during their rides to and from school. As a result of this exposure, children can develop asthma severe enough to cause missed school and instructional time. Cumulative absences over time can permanently affect their learning and subsequent careers and earnings.
Are you willing to allow children to be exposed to air pollution and risk suffering from respiratory illness for five years until the electric bus transition is mandated, or will you do what is right now? Vote May 17 to reject fossil fuel school buses and to elect board members who are serious about a sustainable future for our children.
Dr. Sonia Y. Kragh
Member, Climate Change Awareness and Action
Syracuse
More in Opinion: Vote for my school board candidate in F-M, Canastota, Auburn (Your Letters)
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May 12, 2022 at 10:03PM
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Why wait? NY schools should transition to electric buses now (Your Letters) - syracuse.com
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