Maryland Senate Bill SB948

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/22
• Refer: 2/13/22
• Refer: 2/28/22

Caption

Public Utilities – Electric School Bus Pilot Program

Impact

This legislation is positioned to significantly reshape the landscape of public transportation in Maryland's educational sector. It requires participating school systems to incorporate not less than 25 electric school buses into their fleets, enabling practical exposure to electric vehicle technology amongst students. The program is expected to alleviate operational costs and dependencies on fossil fuels, reflecting a shift toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the transportation of students. Additionally, the bill incentivizes the use of renewable energy sources for charging infrastructure, furthering clean energy initiatives.

Summary

Senate Bill 948 establishes an electric school bus pilot program in Maryland to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in public education. The bill directs the Public Service Commission to implement the program, which allows investor-owned electric companies to partner with school systems to deploy electric school buses. This initiative aims to enhance environmental sustainability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from traditional diesel buses, and provide financial incentives for participating school systems through rebates that cover the incremental costs of switching to electric school buses.

Contention

However, there are points of contention associated with the bill's implications, mainly concerning the financial obligations for investor-owned electric companies and the equitable distribution of electric school buses. Critics may raise concerns about the viability of electric buses in all school districts, especially in low-income areas that might lack the infrastructure for modern electric vehicle charging. Additionally, there may be discussions on whether the existing school transportation systems can efficiently adapt to this transition, considering the substantial initial investment required for both adaptation and maintenance of the electric school bus systems.