School Transportation News Magazine | Buyer’s Guide 2011


Commentary


Jobs, Jobs, Jobs … Where Will They Come from in 2011 and Beyond? By Ryan Gray


Clean-tech jobs are being touted as the way of the future. A 2008 report by the Political Economy


Research Institute estimated that $100 billion spent on clean energy over a period of 10 years could create 2 million jobs. Tis is compared to 50,000 jobs if the same funds were invested in petroleum- based industries. Meanwhile, the Center for American Progress said in its Green Jobs 101 fact sheet that “renew-


able energy and efficiency improvements create twice as many jobs per unit of energy and per dollar invested than traditional fossil fuel-based generating technologies.” Consider what the EPA has to say about the jobs benefits to be gained through the recently exhausted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds and the National Clean Diesel Program. Approximately 21 new jobs are created for every $1 million expended in a project to implement clean fuels, re-engineer or re- power diesel engines, purchase new, cleaner-emissions vehicles or reduce vehicle idling. What this all means is that the pupil transportation industry finds itself at a green crossroads.


To the right is a path that leads to a promised land of sustainability and clean air from biodiesel, natural gas, propane, hybrid, and electric options for school buses. Tis path offers another side to the child safety issue, that being the promise of healthier rides to and from school. But it’s also a road less taken. Getting down to the brass tacks, a hefty price tag is to blame. Yes, federal and state government funds


exist, but the competition is stiff. While perhaps the “right thing to do,” the ability in time, resource, mon- ey and trust to fully embrace alternative fuels continues to allude many pupil transporters nationwide. Te other route available to the industry, meanwhile, is one that is more worn and more comfort-


able, one we may call “Reality Avenue.” An estimated 98 percent of school buses nationwide continue to navigate this road, especially as pupil transporters realize they can now update their fleets to run on clean diesel that offers near similar emissions outputs as their alternative-fuel cousins. Even so, diesel has gotten very expensive, and not just at the pump. EPA clean air standards have increased the cost of new school buses by some $25,000 over the past several years. In the meantime, more alt-fuel options are literally springing forth, especially as the nation’s natural gas


supplies promise to feed CNG and propane-powered vehicles for centuries to come. Te federal govern- ment has also invested billions of dollars to develop improved electric batteries and fuel cells. But that is of little solace to those who continue to see their budgets shrink while their school bus fleets get older and older. Are even more subsidies are necessary to get us where we want, where we need to be. Many question that logic especially in this time of economic uncertainty. Te result has been a big uptick in the number of school bus operators who are squeezing as much


life as possible out of their vehicles. Tis is certainly good news to emissions control providers and, as we reported late last year, has led to an increased interest in refurbishing school buses when the money’s not there to buy anew. It’s got to make the school bus manufacturers nervous, however, despite somewhat encouraging news reported in this 2011 Buyer’s Guide edition that school bus pro- duction increased over the past year. Let’s not forget, however, that subsidies in the form of stimulus money played a role. As the OEMs continue their progress with alternative fuel offerings, prices will come down with volume and increased fuel economy will come to pass. But it will take more time. So, the industry is presented with a chicken-or-the-egg type dilemma. Increased development of more


school buses powered by alternative fuels, which could help boost the U.S. job market (if you believe the studies) in addition to promising the benefits of cleaner emissions. Te school bus manufacturers and product suppliers will all need an infusion of a lot more capital in addition to workforce expertise to bring to market new, sustainable vehicle models. Clean diesel offers many of the same benefits in terms of new jobs on a less-polluted horizon. Tere are many sides and possibilities to “being green.” While cost is certainly a consideration,


so, too, is the demand of school bus operators for more alt-fuel choices, something that has yet to materialize and cannot be manufactured. ■


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