SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION NO. RS2012-459

A resolution requesting the Mayor and Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) to replace the entire fleet of school buses powered by diesel combustion engines with buses that are powered by hybrid-electric technology, compressed natural gas, or liquid natural gas.

WHEREAS, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) owns and operates the 29th largest pupil transportation department in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the overwhelming percentage of the 589 school buses in the MNPS fleet used daily to transport students are powered by diesel combustion engines; and

WHEREAS, MNPS transports approximately 45,000 students, or 65 percent of all K-12 students, twice daily to schools by bus; and

WHEREAS, approximately 750,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 450,000 gallons of unleaded fuel are purchased annually by MNPS to operate its fleet of school buses; and

WHEREAS, the annual fuel costs associated with operating the school bus fleet is a significant taxpayer-funded expense; and

WHEREAS, the exhaust from the diesel combustion engines contains ozone precursors, benzene, arsenic, dioxins, formaldehyde, and numerous toxic substances which have a negative impact on the environment and the health of citizens; and

WHEREAS, significant health impacts are associated with the toxic diesel exhaust, including the aggravation of bronchitis and asthma, and may include lung damage and premature death; and

WHEREAS, the exhaust of diesel combustion engines has adversely impacted the natural environment and is closely linked to Global Warming; and

WHEREAS, our dependence on foreign fossil fuels used to power these diesel combustion engines has made us a slave to rising fuel costs; and

WHEREAS, there are several cost advantages aligned with the use of hybrid-electric buses that include a 30% increased fuel economy, extended brake life, no transmission to service, less moving parts, less engine wear and tear, and a less expensive engine; and

WHEREAS, a grant from the United States Department of Energy would help offset the purchase price of hybrid-electric buses; and

WHEREAS, buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid natural gas (LNG) offer dramatically reduced emissions and a much quieter ride compared to diesel buses; and

WHEREAS, using buses powered by American-produced CNG and LNG would have the additional benefits of reducing the amount of money MNPS spends on fuel, removing the influence of foreign governments on the district’s day-to-day operations, and virtually eliminating the volatility that currently takes place with petroleum budgets;

WHEREAS, public school systems throughout the United States have taken the initiative to replace diesel combustion buses with more cost efficient and environmentally friendly hybrid-electric buses and those powered by natural gas; and

WHEREAS, the replacement of diesel combustion buses with hybrid-electric or natural gas buses by MNPS will allow our public school system to operate in a more efficient manner and would serve as an example for the entire nation; and

WHEREAS, the increased use of hybrid-electric buses and natural gas buses by the public school system will further Mayor Dean’s goal of making Metropolitan Nashville the greenest city in the southeast, will protect the health of its citizens, and will provide a cost effective and efficient mode of transportation for the students of MNPS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section1 That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Mayor and Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools to replace the entire fleet of school buses powered by diesel combustion engines with buses that are powered by hybrid-electric technology, compressed natural gas, or liquid natural gas, all of which are more environmentally sensitive, healthy, and cost efficient than diesel buses.

Section 2 That the Metropolitan Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to the Mayor Karl Dean and to Director of Schools Dr. Jesse Register.

Section 3 That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Bruce Stanley