As your Town Supervisor, I am committed to a sustainable future, but I will not stand by while Albany imposes an unfunded mandate that threatens children’s safety and taxpayers’ wallets.
Currently, nearly 70% of Mount Pleasant property taxes already go to the eight school districts serving our town. This state mandate requiring all-electric bus fleets by 2035 will drive those taxes even higher.
Here is why this one-size-fits-all plan is a serious risk for Mount Pleasant:
- Financial Burden Electric buses cost 2–3x more than diesel. Between battery replacements and grid upgrades, the costs are staggering—and you, the local taxpayer, are being asked to pick up the tab.
- Infrastructure Gaps Our districts lack the charging capacity to support full fleets. Upgrading our local grid could cost millions of dollars.
- Cold Weather Failures Westchester winters can reduce EV battery performance by up to 40%. A bus that loses power mid-route isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s stranded children. In fact, one school district reported their EV buses were out of service an average of 66 days last year.
- Fire Safety Concerns Lithium-ion battery fires burn hotter and longer. Our volunteer fire departments need specialized training and equipment they don’t currently have to deal with these risks.
- No Local Flexibility Albany is ignoring our unique geography and fiscal reality.
Moving Forward:
I will be asking the Mt. Pleasant Town Board to pass a formal resolution calling on Albany to delay or amend this mandate. This is not an opposition to clean energy; it is a demand for a responsible, funded, and safe transition.
We must put our students and taxpayers first.
Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi