Environment DEC
From the October 2004 issue
Governor Announces $4.2 Million for Clean-Fueled Buses
Governor George E. Pataki announced more than $4.2 million in grants through the state's Clean-Fueled Bus Program to five local government and transit agencies for the purchase of clean-fueled hybrid electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.
This hybrid bus uses
electric and cleaner
burning fuel
"New York State is leading the nation in efforts to provide cleaner air for our children and to promote renewable energy technologies," Governor Pataki said. "Through innovative initiatives such as our Clean-Fueled Bus Program, we've replaced hundreds of transit and school buses across the state with cleaner burning, alternative-fueled buses. We're proud that these new vehicles are helping to reduce harmful emissions and improve the air we breathe, while reducing our dependence on foreign fuel and promoting new markets for clean and renewable energy technologies."
Clean-Fueled Bus Program
The Clean-Fueled Bus Program is funded through the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). This is the seventh round of funding under the program.
To date, the Clean-Fueled Bus Program has provided more than $28 million to municipalities and local transit agencies to assist with the purchase of 563 hybrid electric and CNG buses throughout New York State. These buses are reducing the transportation sector's reliance on petroleum products by displacing more than 63.4 million gallons of diesel fuel while reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 3,250 tons and particulate matter emissions by nearly 170 tons over the lives of the buses. Studies have demonstrated that these pollutants contribute to smog formation and respiratory ailments.
Grant Recipients
The funding announced recently includes the following:
- Up to $1.4 million for the New York City Department of Transportation to purchase 20 hybrid-electric buses
- Up to $1.15 million for two projects submitted by Broome County Transit to purchase five hybrid-electric buses
- Up to $800,000 for two projects submitted by the Westchester County Department of Transportation to purchase five hybrid-electric buses
- Up to $750,000 for two projects in the City of Syracuse submitted by the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority for the purchase of five hybrid-electric buses
- Up to $115,000 for the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, to convert seven existing diesel buses to CNG
Purchasing Consortium
Broome County Transit, the Westchester County Department of Transportation, and the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority are part of a hybrid bus purchasing consortium developed by NYSERDA and the New York State Department of Transportation. The consortium was formed to help reduce the cost of hybrid buses and to bring smaller bus fleets into the hybrid bus market.
