AR109

An Assembly Resolution urging the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to conduct safety testing of school buses powered by compressed natural gas.

Whereas, Natural gas powers more than 100,000 vehicles in the United States and roughly 11.2 million vehicles worldwide and is a good power choice for high-mileage fleets, such as buses and taxis, that are centrally fueled or operate within a limited area; and

Whereas, The advantages of natural gas as an alternative fuel include its domestic availability, widespread distribution infrastructure, low cost when compared with gasoline and diesel fuels, and clean-burning qualities; and

Whereas, The U.S. Department of Energy found that there are two forms of natural gas which may be used in vehicles and are considered alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act of 1992: compressed natural gases (CNG) or liquefied natural gases; and

Whereas, The U.S. Department of Energy notes that natural gas vehicles meet the same safety standards as gasoline and diesel fueled vehicles and also meet the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) NFPA 52 Vehicular Fuel System Code; and

Whereas, Natural gas is a safe fuel as it has a narrow flammability range, it dissipates quickly if released, and modern natural gas vehicle fuel tanks are strong and extremely puncture resistant; and

Whereas, The average vehicle-miles traveled of a school bus is 12,000 miles per year and the average fuel economy of a diesel school bus is 7 miles per gallon; and

Whereas, It has been reported that the fuel economy and efficiency of a CNG school bus is significantly better than diesel fueled school buses; and

Whereas, There have been reports questioning the safety of CNG powered school buses; and

Whereas, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation, was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970, to carry out safety testing and programs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 and the Highway Safety Act of 1966; and

Whereas, It is the responsibility of NHTSA to strive to reduce deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes; and

Whereas, A determination by NHTSA as to the safety of CNG powered school buses would resolve any controversy and could contribute to the expansion of more fuel efficient and cost effective pupil transportation systems in this State, resulting in significant savings for New Jersey’s tax payer; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for this House to urge the United State Congress to require NHTSA to conduct safety testing on school bus vehicles utilizing compressed natural gas and publish the results; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The General Assembly of the State of New Jersey respectfully urges the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation to direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to conduct safety testing on school bus vehicles utilizing compressed natural gas and publish the results.

2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation and each member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

This Assembly resolution urges the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation to direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct safety testing on school buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).

As the world continues to face an unpredictable availability of fossil fuels, mounting environmental health concerns, and an economic financial crises, it is imperative to identify solutions on all levels.

CNG is a clean burning fuel which may lead to decreases in pollution rates and is currently less expensive compared to other fuels, where prices are rising in the international market every day.

CNG is reported safe as the containers do not auto ignite on heated surfaces, which means that CNG is much safer than gasoline in vehicles.

Although a few school districts have proceeded with the use of CNG powered school buses, such as Portland, Maine, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Pensacola, Florida, it is important for trusted governmental entities, such as NHTSA to conduct and provide the school bus safety results to the American public.