ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1971

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 12, 2021

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1971.

      As reported, this bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), in consultation with the Department of Transportation, Department of Education, and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, to develop and implement, a three-year “Electric School Bus Pilot Program” (pilot program).  The purpose of the pilot program is to determine the operational reliability and cost effectiveness of replacing diesel-powered school buses with electric school buses for daily transportation of students.

      The bill requires the BPU to select at least three school districts, one from each region of the State, for participation in the pilot program.

      The BPU is to award grants up to $10 million total from revenues of the societal benefits charge to school districts selected to participate in the pilot program to purchase electric school buses and to purchase and install electric school bus charging infrastructure.

      The bill requires the school districts selected to participate in the pilot program to submit periodic reports to the BPU detailing the cost to operate electric school buses and any reliability issues related to the operation of the buses.  Lastly, the bill requires the BPU to submit a report with certain information to the Governor and Legislature no later than six months after the completion of the pilot program.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.