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FOR RELEASE: Immediate, June 26, 2008
CONTACT: Colleen Ryan, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 ext 3359
cqr@nyserda.org
Governor Announces Awards to Fleet Operators to Reduce Emissions
$4.7 million to fund Alternative Fuel Bus projects throughout New York
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that six transportation entities were awarded $4.7 million to introduce compressed natural gas (CNG) and hybrid-electric buses into their fleets. The funding is being awarded through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) New York State Clean-Fueled Bus Program, which is designed to not only promote the use of clean-fueled buses and generate emission reductions and petroleum displacement, but also to stimulate the marketplace to accelerate the introduction of these technologies into New York’s bus fleets.
"Almost three-quarters of New York’s petroleum resources are dedicated to the transportation sector. That is just part of the reason we instituted a vigorous program to curb our addiction to these traditional fuel sources,” said Governor Paterson. “Introducing the latest clean-energy technology into our public transportation fleets will enable those entities to reduce overhead fuel costs and provide better service for all New Yorkers. NYSERDA’s Clean-Fueled Bus Program successfully demonstrates how innovation and technology are paired to spur economic growth with reducing air pollution and protecting our environment.”
"Since passage of the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act in 1996, NYSERDA’s Clean-Fueled Bus program has modernized transit and school bus fleets with the latest technology to reduce emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases while reducing dependence on imported petroleum,” said Vincent A. DeIorio, Chairman of NYSERDA. “By enabling fleet operators to transport our workforce, citizens, tourists, and pupils around cities and towns in an environmentally-friendly way, this program, while acting as a driving force to stimulate a clean-fuel market, has been beneficial for our State’s environment and economy.”
The New York State Clean-Fueled Bus Program was first initiated through the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act with the goal of improving the environmental quality of the State’s air and water resources. The Act further authorized NYSERDA to make State-assistance payments for clean-fueled buses and associated infrastructure projects.
Priority is given to projects that result in the greatest emissions reduction and petroleum displacement, provide the greatest economic benefits, are located in areas where air quality improvements are needed the most, and leverage private and public dollars for infrastructure development and clean-fuel bus acquisition.
Previously, more than $23 million has been awarded to 11 fleets for the introduction of 510 diesel hybrid-electric buses and CNG fueled buses. Over the lifetime of these vehicles these technologies will displace 57 million gallons of petroleum, 3,170 tons of oxides of nitrogen, 257 tons of particulate matter, and 226,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
Projects that were awarded funds include:
Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) was awarded $1,700,000 to purchase 10 diesel hybrid-electric transit buses to operate in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties. These cleaner, more efficient buses complement CDTA’s already extensive efforts to reduce emissions and petroleum dependence by using biodiesel in their fleet.
CUNY-College of Staten Island was awarded $50,000 to purchase a gasoline hybrid-electric shuttle bus for service on the campus to and from the Staten Island Ferry terminal.
Long Beach Combined School District was awarded $397,535 to purchase eight compressed natural gas school buses for operation in Nassau County Long Island.
Middle Country Central School District (Suffolk County) was awarded $447,960 to purchase 15 CNG school buses, as part of the district’s effort to move its entire fleet toward CNG. Additional funding had been awarded to upgrade the bus garage and for the construction of an on-site CNG fueling facility.
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority was awarded $1,148,400 to purchase eight diesel hybrid-electric transit buses for use in Erie and Niagara Counties. These new buses will replace older diesel buses and be added to a fleet of 43 hybrid-electric buses currently in service.
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority was awarded $1,000,000 to purchase five hybrid-electric transit buses for use in Monroe County and the City of Rochester.
These 47 new, clean-fuel buses will displace more than 1.5 million gallons of petroleum over their lifetimes compared to conventional vehicles. Harmful pollution that would have been released in New York will be reduced by 80 tons of oxides of nitrogen, a half ton of particulate matter, and 14,000 tons of carbon dioxide over the lifetime of the vehicles.
Proposals were reviewed and funds awarded based on a competitive process that takes into account the relative environmental, energy, and economic benefits of each route on which the bus will operate.
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