Paterson Report Reinforces Need for Legislature to Pass Tax Credit for the Purchase of Clean-Fuel School Buses

  Published on August 14th, 2010

A.8717/Gantt (same as) S.4878/Valesky Awaits Action in the Assembly and Senate

Albany, NY – President of the New York School Bus Contractors Association, Karen Paquette, today urged the state legislature to pass sales tax credit legislation, A.8717/Gantt (same as) S.4878/Valesky, to help school bus contractors purchase new clean-fuel school buses that produce near-zero emissions.

“Governor Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force indicated that the state needs to use alternative financing mechanisms to promote investment in pro-environment technology. As President of the New York School Bus Contractors, representing over 200 bus companies across the state, I urge the legislature to pass these very important bills and send them to Governor Paterson for consideration.”

Governor David A. Paterson released his report of the Renewable Energy Task Force titled, “Clean, Secure Energy and Economic Growth: A Commitment to Renewable Energy and Enhanced energy Independence.” The report reinforces the need for the legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.8717/S.4878 (a sales tax credit for the purchase of clean-fuel school buses).

The Governor’s Task Force stated that adherence to specific recommendations contained in the report is essential to the comprehensive, fully integrated implementation of the roadmap to renewable energy development.

The Governor’s Task Force further stated that there are several steps the State can take to achieve greater system and product efficiency, which will further reduce our petroleum consumption while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions.

The following is one of the sixteen recommendations contained in the Governor’s report: Use creative financing to promote investment in the renewable energy industry. The Governor’s task force recommends that the State explore all alternative-financing mechanisms available to support its renewable energy and efficiency goals, such as Clean Energy Bond Act initiative; and investment and production tax credits.

Paquette concluded, “The New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA) fully supports the aforementioned findings and recommendations. Further, NYSBCA believes the passage and signage of A.8717/S.4878 (a sales tax credit for the purchase of clean-fuel school buses) will dramatically enhance New York’s ability to reduce and ultimately eliminate harmful emissions, increase fuel efficiency, and dramatically expedite the phase-out of the older, much less efficient diesel technology.”

#####

June, 2009
Drafted in Support of A.8717/Gantt (same as) S.4878/Valesky

New York School Bus Contractors Association
Karen Paquette, President
Andre Claridge, Public Affairs: (518) 424-2575