SENATE RESOLUTION No. 76
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 20, 2012
Sponsored by:
Senator BOB SMITH
District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Urges the federal government to undertake testing of certain school bus vehicles.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee on October 15, 2012, with amendments.
A Senate Resolution urging the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to conduct safety testing of 1certain1 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
1[Whereas, There have been reports questioning the safety of CNG powered school buses; and]1
Whereas, 1The1 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 1with a three-two seating configuration1 would 1[resolve any controversy and could] increase their use and1 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 1[utilizing] which have a three-two seating configuration and use1 compressed natural gas1,1 and publish the results; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Senate 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 1[utilizing] which have a three-two seating configuration and use1 compressed natural gas1,1 and publish the results.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Senate President, and attested by the Secretary of the Senate, shall be transmitted to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation and each member of Congress elected from this State.