On May 29, 2024, the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) was notified that its application for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebates was selected for funding in the amount of $800,000. The reserved funds are for four new electric buses, eligible infrastructure, and other eligible expenses to be used over the course of two years.
The EPA has selected 47 communities to benefit from rebates totaling about $95.7 million for the purchase of over 350 electric buses and five propane buses. The Clean School Bus Rebate program provides upfront payments to eligible entities to subsidize buying zero-emission or clean school buses, fund the necessary charging infrastructure, and pay for related expenses like professional training.
On June 18, residents of the ICSD will head back to the polls to vote on a new budget and an amended Proposition 2, which will ask voters to authorize the district to purchase up to two electric buses, only with rebates to defray costs, two ultra-low propane buses with wheelchair-accessible lifts, and three passenger vehicles. Notably, Proposition 2 was reduced from $3.2 million to $1.6 million. Proposition 2 is not taken from the General Fund but rather from a savings account called “Capital Reserve,” which can only be used for bus purchases. Every year, the district replaces buses that have aged out of the fleet and need to be taken off of the road as well as other vehicles that support students and facilities.
In April 2022, New York State passed legislation that mandates all new school buses purchased to be zero-emission by 2027 and all school buses in operation to be electric by 2035. Electric buses produce no toxic exhaust, resulting in a healthier environment for ICSD students. The buses are also equipped with integrated child seats, lap-shoulder belts, video, live GPS, wireless connectivity, and LED first light stop arm and school bus signs.
Electric school buses are significantly less expensive to maintain and fuel than gas or diesel buses. According to CALPIRG, "each electric bus could save districts nearly $2,000 a year in fuel and $4,400 a year in maintenance costs, totaling tens of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a bus."
The ICSD currently has five electric buses that are actively on the road as part of the fleet with sufficient charging stations to support these and additional buses. The district’s electrical buses have been able to complete their routes in all weather conditions without complication.
The Ithaca City School District Budget Re-Vote will be held on June 18, 2024. Polls will be open from 12 noon until 9 p.m. Information on where to vote can be found on by visiting ithacacityschools.org/vote. For additional information about the budget, please visit the Budget FAQs page.