This Act makes new goals and laws for buying zero-emission school buses.

Establishes the state policy on the purchase of new zero-emission school buses. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to adopt rules to require the purchase of new zero-emission school buses in certain areas. Requires the purchase of new zero-emission school buses if the price is equal to a comparable school bus that is not zero-emission. Directs the department to provide technical and financial assistance to school bus fleet owners. Establishes the Zero-Emission School Bus Assistance Fund. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die. 

The leadership seems to want to throw kids under the bus. This bill puts rural children at risk  in rural areas with mountainous terrain and long, snowy winters. In these regions, the typical electric bus’s range is often insufficient to hold a charge.  Cold weather can reduce the range of electric buses by up to 25-35% due to the energy required to maintain battery and cabin temperatures, as well as the reduced efficiency of battery reactions in cold conditions.

The environmental qualify of air is not the same in wide-open areas of rural Oregon and there isn’t the need to lump rural Oregon with the needs of metro congestion.

Electric buses and the required infrastructure also pose significant financial challenges. One electric school bus can cost upwards of $400,000, with an additional $30,000 per bus for necessary charging infrastructure. These costs can be prohibitive for many school districts, especially those in rural areas.

SUBMIT TESTIMONY HERE by 4/17 at 5pm

ENAIL COMMITTEE

Sen.ChrisGorsek@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.SusanMcLain@OregonLegislature.gov
Sen.BruceStarr@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.ShellyBoshartDavis@OregonLegislature.gov
Sen.MarkMeek@OregonLegislature.gov
Sen.KhanhPham@OregonLegislature.gov
Sen.SuzanneWeber@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.PaulEvans@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.MarkGamba@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.JeffreyHelfrich@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.KevinMannix@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.NancyNathanson@OregonLegislature.gov