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FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, October 14, 2009
CONTACT: Sal Graven, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 ext 3331
sg2@nyserda.org
NYSERDA Awards Funds to NFTA Clean Bus Project
$1.1 million for the purchase of 8 hybrid-electric buses
Albany, NY—The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority today awarded the Niagara-Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) $1.1 million for the purchase of eight diesel hybrid-electric buses. The eight new hybrid-electric buses, to operate in Erie and Niagara Counties, will replace older inefficient diesel buses and be added to a fleet of 43 hybrid-electric buses currently in service.
"Since passage of the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, NYSERDA’s Clean-Fueled Bus program has modernized public transportation fleets with the latest technologies that reduce emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases while also reducing dependence on imported petroleum,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “The program also has been beneficial to our State’s economy as components for a hybrid-electric bus, and some of the buses themselves, are built and assembled right here in New York. Enabling fleet operators to transport our workforce, citizens, and tourists in an environmentally-friendly way has been beneficial to New York’s environment and our economy and will help achieve Governor Paterson’s goal of reducing current greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050.”
Funds were awarded through NYSERDA’s New York State Clean-Fuel Bus Program, which is designed to promote the use of clean-fueled buses and generate emission reductions and petroleum displacement while stimulating the marketplace to accelerate the introduction of clean-fuel technology into New York’s transportation sector. The 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.
"Buses are vital to our daily operation,” said Henry M. Sloma, NFTA Chairman. “It is critical that we provide vehicles that are reliable, energy efficient and safe to operate. As a result of these funds, we are making considerable progress to significantly upgrade our fleet, reduce our carbon footprint and improve our level of customer service.
More than $23 million has been awarded to 11 fleets for the introduction of 510 diesel hybrid-electric buses and compressed natural gas (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.
Priority in funding through the program is given to projects that result in the greatest emission reduction and petroleum displacement, provide the greatest economic benefits, are located in areas where air quality improvements are needed most, and leverage private and public dollars for clean-fuel bus acquisition or infrastructure development.
"As Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, I am pleased to see that NYSERDA has awarded the NFTA $1.1 million for the purchase of hybrid-electric buses,” said Senator Antoine M. Thompson. “This is just another stepping stone towards a green New York.”
Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) said, “These vehicle acquisitions will replace the last generation of technology with the newest generation of technology. The new hybrid-electric buses will run more cleanly and use less gasoline than the old ones, and that’s good news for the NFTA and the entire Niagara region.”
Senator Bill Stachowski said, “This investment in new buses for the NFTA continues our commitment to making New York ‘greener’ and more environmentally-friendly. Even in these lean fiscal times, we must utilize our limited resources in a way that benefits the general public, local governments and the environment. While some may talk about their plans for the air we breathe and the water we drink, New York State is moving forward with our plan.”
Assemblyman Robin Schimminger said, “Taking the bus in Erie and Niagara counties will soon make even more environmental sense, thanks to NYSERDA funding for the purchase of eight new diesel hybrid-electric buses by the NFTA. Receiving $1.1 million in state assistance to modernize and to ‘green’ our regional bus service is a triple win for Western New York.”
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