UTA OF LAKEWOOD RECEIVES STATE FUNDED ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS

UTA of Lakewood (the Satmar mosdos) today received in service their first electric school bus. The bus was acquired thanks to a $252,307.25 state grant they were awarded in November 2021.

In September and November 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) alleged that Volkswagen had secretly installed defeat devices – software designed to cheat emissions test and deceive federal and state regulators – in certain Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche-branded turbocharged direct injection diesel vehicles. The defeat device renders the subject vehicles’ emissions controls inoperable unless the vehicles are undergoing emissions testing. It was only by installing the defeat device that Volkswagen was able to obtain Certificates of Conformity from USEPA and Executive Orders from CARB; in reality, these vehicles emit oxides of nitrogen (“NOx”) up to 40 times the USEPA-permitted limit.

On October 25, 2016 and May 17, 2017, two Partial Consent Decrees were approved between the United States, California, and the defendants (Volkswagen Corporation and its subsidiaries). The purpose of the Decrees is to address installation and use of emissions control defeat device software. The use of the defeat devices has resulted in increased emissions of NOx in New Jersey and throughout the United States. NOx significantly contributes to the formation of ground level ozone which negatively impacts the respiratory system and cardiovascular health. One of the goals of the Partial Consent Decrees is to offset the excess NOx emissions.

The Partial Consent Decrees establish an Environmental Mitigation Trust which will provide funds to all the states to implement actions to counter the air quality impacts of the excess NOx emissions resulting from the use of the defeat devices. The allocation to New Jersey is $72.2 million.

Since receiving this allocation, the Murphy Administration has invested in climate change, clean energy, and environmental justice projects, particularly the replacement of diesel-fueled medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and non-road equipment with electric powered in environmental justice communities. In addition, understanding that the mobility needs of environmental justice communities differ from residents in other communities, NJDEP continues to work to bring clean transportation options to underserved communities such as electric ride sharing and ride hailing projects.

 

As part of this initiative, on February 16, 2021, the Township of Lakewood was awarded $284,595 for one electric truck.

On November 10, 2021, United Talmudical Academy of Lakewood was awarded $252,307.25 for one electric school bus, Yeshivah Masoras Avos was awarded $252,307.25 for one electric school bus, and Jay’s Bus Service was awarded $2,018,458.00 for eight electric school buses.

On August 8, 2022, Presidential Transportation was awarded $550,529.00 for two electric school buses and two EV charging stations.

On March 17, 2023, Klarr Transportation was awarded one electric school bus, Jay’s Bus Service was awarded sixteen electric school buses, and Seman – Tov Bus Company was awarded thirty electric school buses.

Separately, the Biden Administration has adopted a Clean School Bus Program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides an unprecedented $5 billion of funding to transform the nation’s fleet of school buses. The Clean School Bus Program funds electric buses, producing zero tailpipe emissions, as well as propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, resulting in lower tailpipe emissions compared to their older diesel predecessors.

In February 2024, Lakewood Township was awarded a slice of the pie to purchase clean school buses.

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