Greater Rochester Clean Cities

05/28/2026

Regional alt-fuel fleet leader was recently featured on ! 🚛⚡

Wegmans is now 100% diesel-free in NY and PA. Their strategy?
Choosing the right fuel for the job:
CNG for the long haul 🛣️
EV box trucks & yard tractors for local and on-site operations 📦

The results speak for themselves: an 80% cut in maintenance costs and significantly improved air quality for warehouse workers = a more economical choice, better for the environment, plus driver and employee buy-in.

We can’t wait to hear what's next as they continue to expand alternative fuels across their operations.
Stay tuned for updates!

https://hubs.la/Q04jf2dw0

JOHN DAVIS: We Americans are certainly feeling an economic pinch at the gas station, the car showroom and at retail stores. But it’s not just individuals; mainstream businesses are watching the bottom line harder than ever. We recently visited one company that cleaned up its trucking fleet, and it...

05/11/2026

It was a beautiful day to small the flowers and EV carshare savings with Floshare at the Lilac Fest! If you're interested in learning more about the service and enhancing Rochester's community carshare located in 3 prime locations, please take our brief community feedback survey!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebBRrmHv9q3d-EstJBXgscB187smb7TodrJC-OofN59Wr16A/viewform?usp=header

05/05/2026

A big thank you to all the partners who made Penfield's annual Arbor Day & EV Car Show event a success! We enjoyed being there with and uplifting all the ways our community comes together to reduce carbon emissions!

04/24/2026

We’re grateful to do the work we do with the support of Causewave!

04/10/2026

National Drive Electric Month events feature plug-in electric vehicle owners sharing their experience with others interested in driving electric.

04/10/2026

Floshare is Rochester’s only community carshare service with three locations across the city. Whether you need a car for errands, appointments, or just getting across town, they want to hear from you!

Please take a short, ~ 3 minute survey about your transportation needs. Your input will help shape the future of accessible, sustainable mobility in our community.

If you decide to become a member, your first ride is on us (up to a $20 value, while supplies last!)

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/R7miQTQgCYN7XSDk8
En español: https://forms.gle/79hEWpLDn1AgX7nm9

03/26/2026

This week, the New York State Senate voted to stay the course with its phased plan to decarbonize student transport. While a recent repeal amendment was considered, the timeline remains unchanged for school districts: No new diesel bus purchases by 2027 and a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2035.

As school districts navigate this shift, the debate has centered on whether a "one-size-fits-all" approach works for a state with such diverse geography and demographics.

The Pros: Moving Toward Sustainability
-Environmental Impact: Significant reduction in carbon emissions and improved local air quality for students and communities.
-Operational Success in Cities: Districts like Gates-Chili have successfully integrated electric buses for short, densely populated routes.
-Flexibility: Governor Hochul has allowed for two-year extensions to help districts struggling with the transition.
-Technical Assistance: Funding is available to school districts and third party operators under contract to assist with the transition, especially for districts located in census DACs (Disadvantaged Communities) through the NYSBIP (New York State Bus Incentive Program)

The Cons: Infrastructure & Cost Barriers
-Financial Concerns: While overall maintenance costs have been shown to be less than with diesel, EV buses can be more costly on the front end.
-Infrastructure Gaps: Some areas face challenges regarding charging station installation as it relates to onsite grid capacity and permitting.
-Voter Pushback: Local taxpayers have already begun voting down referendums for these buses, creating tension between the state mandate and local funding / implementation.

Both perspectives are necessary to consider when evaluating whether regional tailoring is needed.

https://hubs.la/Q048tZ2y0

New York is moving forward with a major shift in how students get to school. Lawmakers just voted down an effort to undo the statewide electric school bus mandate.

03/25/2026

Charging electric school buses can help increase grid utilization, providing savings potential for U.S. consumers.

03/19/2026

When the modern electric vehicle was still in its infancy, drivers worried that vehicles would need expensive battery replacements within a few years. But battery lifespans are exceeding expectations.

03/11/2026

🚌 New development in the Clean School Bus Program! 🚌

We are pleased to see that the EPA's Clean School Bus Program is returning, but there will be some changes!

All 2024 rebates have been cancelled
There will also be increased financial oversight
and a shift to reimbursements only, so schools will have to have the money for purchase up front 👎

Another is that the EPA is expanding the program to possibly include liquified natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen. While GRCC supports the use of LNG and hydrogen for a variety of applications, hydrogen school buses are not currently in production and LNG have been scaled way back (and have thus far not been as economically or practically viable.)
So far, 90-95% of the $3 billion awarded in CSB has gone toward electric buses and only ~ 5% has been spent on propane (and NY State is leading in policy for ZEBs.)

Are you a school official, fleet operator, bus/engine manufacturer, energy producer, or industry group? The EPA wants your input through a Request for Information (RFI)!
Comments are aimed at informing 2026 grant funding and are due by April 6, 2026.

Information on the specifics of the RFI can be found here:
https://hubs.la/Q046qdJL0

The actual RFI can be found here: https://hubs.la/Q046ql350

Revised EPA Clean School Bus Program opens up to prospect of funding biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel options.

03/04/2026

We had a great time at the 2026 Rochester Auto Show! While there's still a lot of skepticism about owning an EV, we took this opportunity to make sure people had the best and most current information so they can make the most informed choices. Here were some of our favorite parts of the event. Shout out to General Motors and Toyota for their informative EV/energy displays! Thanks to Auto Dealers Association for a great event and opportunity to engage with community members of all ages from across our county and region!