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3-Year Prison Sentence for School Bus Aide Convicted in Choking Death

Amanda Davila was sentenced to three years in prison for the death of 6-year-old Fajr Williams, who fatally choked on a Somerset County, New Jersey school bus while wearing an improperly secured safety harness.

Davila faced up to 20 years in prison for the charges of aggravated and reckless manslaughter. Instead, a jury found her guilty of child endangerment on Jan. 13. On March 7, a judge sentenced her to three years in prison.

Davila, who was 27 at the time of the Julu 17, 2023 incident, testified in her own defense during the trial and claimed she was at fault but only partially. The defense argued that a family member of Williams improperly buckled her into her wheelchair that day. Davila also reportedly testified during the trial that she wasn’t trained properly on wheelchair securement and made a mistake. However, the school bus contractor she worked for provided monthly training sessions.

Davila’s lawyer said she shared responsibility with the family, who should have ensured the young girl was secured properly. Davila was the assigned bus monitor to Williams, who had Emanuel syndrome, was non-verbal and in a wheelchair. She was being transported to an extended school year program at Claremont Elementary School in Franklin Park New Jersey.


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Related: New Jersey School Bus Driver Struck, Killed by Another School Bus
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Related: Three-Vehicle Crash Involving School Buses Leaves Seven Injured
Related: Operation STEER Hands-On School Bus Emergency Training Expands in Texas


As School Transportation News reported at the time, Williams was strangled by her wheelchair’s harness on the bus ride. The student reportedly slumped forward in her wheelchair after a series of bumps. She was wearing a 4-point harness that secured her to the wheelchair, but ultimately became too tight around her neck, blocking her airway.

Video from the bus ride showed Davila seated in front of Williams, on her cellphone and wearing earbuds, a violation of policies and procedures.

The case was also discussed during the 2023 Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs Conference.

The post 3-Year Prison Sentence for School Bus Aide Convicted in Choking Death appeared first on School Transportation News.

Over a Dozen Injured in a New Jersey School Bus Crash

More than a dozen people were injured after a school bus crashed on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey, reported CBS News.

The incident reportedly occurred March 10 at approximately 7:30 p.m., when the Rabbinical School bus from Lakewood was heading to New York to attend a post-wedding celebration.

According to the news report, the school bus was seen on its side facing the wrong way on the highway and skid marks were visible on a nearby embankment. There was no immediate information on what caused the school bus to overturn.

The New Jersey State Police said via the article that 15 people, including the 44-year-old bus driver, were treated for injuries. One of the passengers suffered serious injuries. Police said in a statement the 14-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was pinned under the overturned bus.

The Woodcliff Lake Fire Department was the first to arrive at the scene said Mayor Mike Ghassali in a statement on Facebook. The Montvale Volunteer Fire Department and other firefighters that assisted, lifted the bus and rescued the 14-year-old boy [that was pinned under the bus] and 28 other boys along with two adults.

The 14-year-old, who is fighting for his life, the bus driver and 13 other boys were transported to local hospitals. Their current condition is unclear at this moment.

The crash remains under investigation.


Related: Alabama School Bus Driver Falls Asleep at Wheel, Crashes
Related: Six Students Hospitalized in Massachusetts School Bus Crash
Related: New Jersey School Bus Driver Struck, Killed by Another School Bus
Related: New Jersey School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI

The post Over a Dozen Injured in a New Jersey School Bus Crash appeared first on School Transportation News.

Diversified Transportation Awarded Industrial Busing Contract Supporting Commute for Construction Teams to Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass Site

By: STN

WALL, N.J.– Diversified Transportation LTD, a member of the Student Transportation of America (STA) family of companies, is pleased to announce that the industry-leading transportation and fleet service organization has been awarded an industrial busing contract from Bechtel Infrastructure and Power Corp, the engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contractor for the construction of Thacker Pass Phase 1. Under the agreement, Diversified Transportation LTD will provide motorcoach transportation services to construction workers and staff, traveling from Winnemucca, Nev. to Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass development and construction project in rural northern Humboldt County, Nevada. Together, Lithium Americas and General Motors (GM) are part of a joint venture focused on bringing Thacker Pass to production to significantly improve the domestic output of critical lithium supply, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, create new jobs, and bring economic activity to northern Nevada.

“We are incredibly proud to expand Diversified Transportation’s footprint with entry into the United States. Through support of our STA of Nevada team and new local partners, we are fully committed to providing quality industrial busing services to Thacker Pass,” said Gene Kowalczewski, CEO of Student Transportation of America. “We are honored to be selected to provide transportation services for this critical project and look forward to forging a trusted partnership through our safe, reliable, and on-time services.”

Service began in February 2025 with the initial fleet consisting of two buses. At peak construction, more than 50 motorcoaches from Diversified Transportation’s industrial shuttle division will be used daily to support the commuting needs of more than 2,000 employees, skilled trade and construction workers, and staff. Bechtel is tasked with managing construction of the Thacker Pass processing facilities for the production of battery-quality lithium carbonate. Funded by the US Department of Energy under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program and General Motors, the project is expected to be a three-year build. Crews will regularly need to be transported from their accommodations in Winnemucca to the construction site, located more than 60 miles northwest.

“We’re excited to announce the launch of our new transportation service for our on-site workers, connecting Winnemucca to Thacker Pass. Service officially began on February 6, 2025, marking an important milestone in our commitment to supporting both our workforce and the local community,” said Richard Gerspacher, Lithium Americas Executive Vice President, Capital Projects. “The safety of our workers is of utmost importance and that was one of the reasons we chose Diversified, in addition to their invaluable experience and existing ties to Winnemucca. We are particularly proud that two Winnemucca residents have joined the team as bus drivers, further strengthening our local connections.”

“We understand the needs that come along with industrial busing and I’m proud to say that our Diversified Transportation team will be able to deliver a fully-managed transportation solution that includes regular fleet maintenance, optimized routing, driver recruitment and retention, day-to-day managerial oversight and more,” said Tim Lindsay, Executive Vice President, Canadian Business Group, STA. “Above all, our strongest asset continues to be our professionally-trained drivers who put safety first. Our drivers receive comprehensive training and many of them are already actively involved in the Winnemucca community so they understand what a critical role they will be playing in this project to build America’s largest lithium operation.”

Thacker Pass is the largest known Measured and Indicated lithium resource in North America.

Tapping into the expertise of its local partners, Diversified Transportation has also established a partnership with Western States Investments LLC and Schommer Construction to supply its on-site teams with additional parking, maintenance support, bus washing, and office space throughout the duration of the contract.

To learn more about Student Transportation of America, STA’s family of companies, and explore career opportunities, please visit www.ridesta.com.

The post Diversified Transportation Awarded Industrial Busing Contract Supporting Commute for Construction Teams to Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass Site appeared first on School Transportation News.

New Jersey School Bus Driver Struck, Killed by Another School Bus

A school bus driver was killed after he was struck by a school bus in his district’s bus garage.

On Tuesday afternoon, New Jersey’s Maple Shade School District’s Superintendent Beth Norcia, released a statement confirming the death of a staff member, identified by police as 85-year-old Jack Hohwald.

The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m., when Hohwald was standing outside of his bus at the district’s bus garage, when he was hit by another district driver. The Maple Shade Police responded to the scene. According to local news, the driver of the striking bus remained at the scene, no chargers have been filed so far. The incident remains under investigation.

Norcia said via the statement that classes were cancelled on Wednesday. The Burlington County Crisis Response Team and counselors will be available for the staff and students the rest of the week.


Related: Alabama Teacher and School Bus Driver Struck, Killed by School Bus
Related: New York Child and Mother Struck by School Bus
Related: New Jersey Teen in Critical Condition After Being Struck by Car
Related: New Jersey School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI

The post New Jersey School Bus Driver Struck, Killed by Another School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

Owner of N.J. School Bus Company Accused of Hiring Unqualified Drivers

The owner of a school bus company in New Jersey was sentenced to five years in state prison for endangering students by hiring unqualified drivers, reported Shore News.

The owner of the company, Ahmed Mahgoub, was sentenced on Jan. 23, after it came to light that the company was failing to perform drug tests and conduct background checks on drivers. It was also reported that the drivers were operating unsafe vehicles.

Mahgoub, 65, owned F&A Transportation, Inc., and pleaded guilty last year to false representation for government contract. His company, which operated in multiple counties, including Essex, Passaic, Morris and Union, secured public school transportation contracts worth $3.5 million from 2016 to 2020.

According to the article, an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and the New Jersey State Police found that Mahgoub hired drivers without valid commercial licenses or criminal background checks.

Some drivers reportedly had criminal records, suspended licenses, or even substance abuse problems. In addition, Mahgoub and his company falsified vehicle inspections forms to cover up safety violations. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission inspections in 2019 found that nearly all of the company’s buses failed.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said via the article that Mahgoub not only flouted government regulations and standards but also risked the lives of children. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Mahgoub and F&A Transportation must pay $500,000 in corruption profiteering penalties and are banned from doing business with the state for 10 years.

F&A co-owner Faiza Ibrahim, 50, also reportedly entered a pretrial intervention and faces her own penalties.


Related: New Jersey School Bus That Went Missing Was Found
Related: New Jersey School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI
Related: $19.5M Settlement Reached in Paramus, New Jersey School Bus Crash
Related: School Bus Driver Shortage Results in Financial Penalties for Ohio Districts

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Rural NJ School District Leverages Transfinder Technology for Efficiency

By: STN

White Township Consolidated School District, a rural pre-K through 8th-grade school district located in Belvidere, New Jersey, a small town dating back to 1825 with a current population of 2,532.

The district has long grappled with the challenges of managing transportation across a geographically expansive and sparsely populated district. With approximately 400 students, the school requires efficient systems to ensure that every child is safely transported to and from school.

Most students are transported because the roads are too dangerous for walkers.

“They can’t walk to our school and usually all our buses need to pick them up door side,” said Ingrid Scott, the district’s transportation coordinator.

Recently, the district upgraded their routing solution to Transfinder’s award-winning Routefinder PLUS solution. Scott, who’s been in her position since 2018, describes the move to Routefinder PLUS as being transformative for the district’s transportation management noting how user-friendly PLUS is.

Adapting Technology for Rural Needs

In a district characterized by winding roads and dispersed households, transportation logistics are particularly demanding. Many students live in areas without precise address points, making it difficult to accurately place them on bus routes. Prior to the move to Routefinder PLUS, Scott relied heavily on manual adjustments, often cross-referencing maps to pinpoint student locations.

Going with Routefinder PLUS introduced new mapping tools that significantly enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of route planning. PLUS, with new maps, made all the difference. The upgraded system has streamlined the process, reducing the reliance on manual corrections.

Streamlining Processes with Routefinder PLUS

One of the most notable strengths of Routefinder PLUS has been the system’s ability to handle student transitions seamlessly. When 8th graders rollover to Belvidere High School, located in a neighboring town about five miles away, they are easily assigned to new routes.

“I didn’t have to redo stuff, which was a big help,” Scott said. “They show up on the high school buses as long as they’re geocoded in the right spot,” Scott noted. This automation saves valuable time and ensures greater accuracy, particularly during the busy school opening season.

“Everything worked great,” Scott said, regarding using PLUS for the first time at the start of the school year. “I had a smooth opening. Everything worked well.”

The enhanced functionality of Routefinder PLUS has also reduced manual labor in other areas. Previously, Scott would send parents postcards with their children’s bus stop and pickup times—a process that was both time-consuming and prone to delays. Now, she can email this information in a matter of seconds. “It was probably a three-second task to let them all know what their bus time was for their child,” Scott said. “It was great.”

Overcoming Initial Hesitations

Although the migration to Routefinder PLUS was initially daunting, the transition was well-supported by the company’s customer service and training resources. Scott described the training sessions as thorough and easy to follow, with the added benefit of recorded sessions for future reference. “I was scared to death when I first did it,” she admitted, but praised the support she received throughout the process.

For districts considering a similar upgrade, Scott advises against delaying the decision. “It was a great transition,” she said. “I probably should have done it sooner.”

Simplifying State Reporting (DRTRS)

In New Jersey, school districts are required to submit detailed transportation data for state reporting, the District Report of Transported Resident Students, known simply as DRTRS. It is a critical report for receiving state aid.

“We can’t have mistakes,” she said. Scott said the migration to Routefinder PLUS has made the DRTRS process significantly more efficient for White Township Consolidated School District.

Transfinder knows all the information that’s required for the report,” Scott explained. “Transfinder’s been doing this for a long time, so they know.” By ensuring that the necessary data is correctly entered into the system, Scott can generate the required reports with just the touch of a button. This automation has eliminated much of the manual data entry previously required, allowing Scott to focus on other responsibilities.

Supporting a Multi-Role Administrator

Scott’s role extends far beyond transportation management. As the superintendent’s secretary, she juggles numerous administrative tasks, leaving little time for extensive system management. The simplicity and efficiency of Routefinder PLUS have been essential in enabling her to manage transportation effectively while balancing her other duties.

The district also benefits from the collaborative approach between Scott and their contracted bus company. Once routes are created, the company reviews them and provides feedback based on their on-the-ground knowledge, ensuring optimal routes for safety and efficiency.

The Rural Advantage

White Township Consolidated School District’s rural setting presents unique challenges, from long bus routes to winding, narrow roads. Transfinder’s Routefinder PLUS has proven to be a critical tool in addressing these challenges, particularly with features that prevent students from having to cross dangerous roads.

By ensuring door-side pickups and accommodating the region’s topography, the system enhances safety while maintaining efficiency. “Some of our roads are curvy, and you can’t see,” Scott explained. “To have somebody crossing is sometimes dangerous, especially for the little kids.”

Looking Ahead

With a successful migration behind her and a smooth school opening in place, Scott is optimistic about the future of transportation management in her district. While she acknowledges that there is always room for improvement, she is confident in the tools and support provided by Transfinder.

For other districts considering the transition to Transfinder’s Routefinder PLUS, Scott’s experience serves as a compelling case study.

“I was scared to death when I first did it,” she said. Then, when attending her trainings, her comfort level increased. “It was wonderful. Everyone has been so helpful.”

Scott raved about the support and training she has received.

“It was a great transition,” she said. “It’s totally worth my not having to spend as much time on certain things. The sooner you make the move, the sooner you’ll see the benefits.”

Learn more at transfinder.com.

The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.

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FMCSA Grant to Enhance CDL Testing in New Jersey

A $2 million grant has been awarded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to improve commercial driver license testing in New Jersey.


The funds were allocated to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) to “launch a mobile CDL testing program, improve outreach to customers and stakeholders in the commercial driving industry, and upgrade existing CDL skills test sites,” as described in a NJMVC news release.

The program will involve two specialized teams that will travel to remote sites in New Jersey and offer CDL skills and knowledge tests. It will be a large-scale initiative that is being coordinated with over 550 statewide districts and driving schools to make CDL testing more accessible to applicants in more rural and underserved parts of the state.

The inspiration for this program came from the popularity of the NJMVC’s Mobile Unit program that followed a similar blueprint of bringing non-driver IDs, driver license renewals, REAL IDs, registration renewals, and other related services to state’s residents, to aid accessibility and convenience.

The NJMVC stated that funding will also be used to aid outreach with stakeholders in the heavy-duty vehicle industry and to promote CDL training in communities. Another target of improvement will be the testing process itself, which will be upgraded to “ensure a safe testing flow, increase testing capacity, and optimize courses for larger commercial vehicles” in accordance with FMCSA and American Association of Motor Vehicle Administration standards.

“By receiving $2 million through the CDLPI grant, drivers across our state will have better access to training materials and testing availabilities, enhancing the safety and preparedness of our workforce on the road,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “This investment reflects our commitment to building a stronger and safer driving community in New Jersey.”

The awarding of funds was recognized at a Delanco, New Jersey road test facility on Nov. 1 during a press conference featuring government and industry representatives.

NJMVC Acting Chief Administrator Latrecia Littles-said at the conference that the program will assist with meeting industry demands as well as provide jobs for individuals in marginalized communities. Assemblywoman Andrea Katz addressed the school bus driver shortage in the state, saying that while it’s improving it’s vital to ensure there are enough people to transport students in rural areas that often require longer routes to and from school.

Dan Jauch, president of the New Jersey School Bus Contractor’s Association and vice president of operations at Krapf Bus, said the program will improve efficiency for contractors and that a bulk testing program “demonstrates a thoughtful response to the unique needs of the school bus contractors across out state.”

Vinn White, who had previously served as a senior advisor to Gov. Murphy on transportation and mobility policy and is now the Deputy Administrator of the FMCSA spoke on the benefits of the Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) Grant program, from which the funds for the New Jersey mobile CDL testing program are a part of. Overall, he said grant funds help to support the industry, the national economy and encourage individuals to get their CDL license which can aid multiple fields experiencing shortages.

“We know that it can be difficult to access this testing in rural parts of New Jersey and that’s why bringing this to the community is so important,” said White. “FMCSA is proud to invest in Americans breaking down barriers who are working and trying to earn their CDL.”


Related: FMCSA Proposal Seeks to Quicken CDL Process
Related: Turning School Bus Driver Shortages Into Opportunities
Related: FMCSA Renews School Bus Driver ‘Under-the-Hood’ Training Exemption

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GreenPower Announces New Dealer in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware with an Initial Order of 11 EVs

By: STN

HAINESPORT, N.J., – GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) (TSXV: GPV) (“GreenPower”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of purpose-built, all-electric, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, today announced the appointment of Wolfington Body Company as its exclusive school bus dealer in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware and as a dealer for its Class 4 commercial line of EV trucks and vans in the same three states. As part of the appointment, Wolfington has purchased a Type A Nano BEAST Access school bus, a Type D BEAST school bus, an EV Star Passenger Van and an EV Star Stakebed Truck as demo units for the region. GreenPower delivered the EV Stars Passenger Van and EV Star Stakebed Truck to Wolfington on December 2, 2024.

During a press conference today at Wolfington’s Hainesport, New Jersey facility, Wolfington also announced it has received an order for seven GreenPower Type A Nano BEAST all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission school buses for a local school district in New Jersey.

“Wolfington Body Company is a fifth-generation family-owned business that has been serving the transportation industry since 1876,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. “In addition to selling school buses and commercial vehicles, Wolfington is equipped with complete mechanical services and body shops to handle a vehicle’s entire lifecycle. Their parts department supplies thousands of parts with same-day delivery available in most areas. We are thrilled to welcome this superior dealer to the GreenPower network.”

“Wolfington history dates back to the horse and buggy days when the company built its first carriage, a buggy with such durability that it held up under the heavy use of doctors traveling their rounds,” said Richard Wolfington, Jr., Vice President of Wolfington Body Company. “Over the years Wolfington’s business has adopted to changing technology and the move to electric vehicles is a natural progression for our company. We are pleased to partner with a premiere purpose-built electric vehicle OEM like GreenPower to bring these school bus and commercial vehicle options to our customers in the three-state region.”

Joining Wolfington and GreenPower at the announcement were state Assemblywoman Andrea Katz and Hainesport Mayor Leila Gilmore, both of whom praised the new partnership and its benefits. “This type of news is exactly what I’m working toward in Trenton. Hainesport will benefit from this economically and each of us will breathe cleaner air,” Katz said. “School buses are an ideal use of EV technology and to know that the children at Burlington County Special Services School District will be among the first to benefit from this partnership is exceptional.”

“Me and my Green Team could not be happier to see Wolfington expanding right here in our community with EV technology that is healthier for school kids and beneficial to the environment and climate change,” Gilmore added. “This will bring more jobs and economic activity to Hainesport while at the same time helping reach our goals of sustainability.”

About GreenPower Motor Company, Inc.
GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo vans and a cab and chassis. GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose-built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. GreenPower was founded in Vancouver, Canada with primary operational facilities in southern California. Listed on the Toronto exchange since November 2015, GreenPower completed its U.S. IPO and NASDAQ listing in August 2020. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com.

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As climate focus shifts to states, East Coast partnership offers model for multi-state collaboration

A power line with smokestacks in the background against a bluish-grey sky.

A trailblazing regional greenhouse gas partnership on the East Coast is considering possible changes or expansion that would allow it to keep building on its success — and the stakes grew higher last month with the reelection of Donald Trump.

The 11-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, established in 2005, is the country’s first regional cap-and-invest system for reducing carbon emissions from power generation. Since 2021, administrators have been conducting a program review, analyzing its performance since the last review in 2017 and weighing potential adjustments to make sure it continues to deliver benefits to member states.

The role of such programs is more crucial as Trump’s pledges to roll back federal climate action leaves it up to cities, states, and the private sector to maintain the country’s momentum on clean energy over the next four years. In RGGI, as the regional initiative is known, states have a potential model for scaling their impact through collaboration. 

“RGGI has not only been an effective climate policy, it’s been an extraordinary example of how states can work together on common goals,” said Daniel Sosland, president of climate and energy nonprofit Acadia Center. “It is a major vehicle for climate policy now in the states, more than it might have seemed before the election.” 

How RGGI works

RGGI sets a cap for total power plant carbon emissions among member states. Individual generators must then buy allowances from the state, up to the total cap, for each ton of carbon dioxide they produce in a year. The cap lowers over time, forcing power plants to either reduce emissions or pay more to buy allowances from a shrinking pool.

States then reinvest the proceeds from these auctions into programs that further reduce emissions and help energy customers, including energy efficiency initiatives, direct bill assistance, and renewable energy projects. Since 2008, RGGI has generated $8.3 billion for participating states, and carbon dioxide emissions from power generation in the nine states that have consistently participated fell by about half between 2008 and 2021, a considerably faster rate than the rest of the country. 

“It has really thrived and been really effective across multiple administrations,” said Jackson Morris, state power sector director with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “RGGI is a winning model. It’s not theoretical — we’ve got numbers.”

Currently, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont are part of the program. Virginia joined RGGI in 2021, but in 2023 Gov. Glenn Youngkin repealed the state’s participation, a move immediately challenged in court; a judge ruled last month that the governor lacked the authority to withdraw the state from initiative, though a spokesman for the governor has declared the state’s intention to appeal. 

There is widespread agreement that RGGI will endure despite likely federal hostility to climate measures. There was no attempt to take direct action against it during Trump’s first term, nor has there been any concerted industry opposition, said Conservation Law Foundation president Bradley Campbell, who was involved in the founding of RGGI when he was commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Supporters also note that the program has historically had broad bipartisan support: Participating states have been led through the years by both Republican and Democratic governors and legislatures. 

Politics has had some influence over the years, though only at the margins. New Jersey, a founding member of RGGI, left in 2011 when Chris Christie was governor, but returned in 2020 following an executive order from his successor. Pennsylvania joined in 2022 through an executive order from the governor, but its participation is now being challenged in court. 

Still, RGGI’s foundations are solid and will remain so, experts said. 

“The basic infrastructure has weathered the political winds over the decades,” Campbell said.

Looking forward

Nonetheless, RGGI will need to make some carefully thought-out program design decisions during its current review to make an impact in the face of falling federal support for decarbonization. 

One question under consideration is whether to maintain the existing trajectory for the overall emissions cap for the program — a reduction of 30% between 2020 and 2030, then holding steady thereafter — or to continue lowering the limit after 2030. 

The RGGI states are also contemplating a possible change to the compliance schedule that would require power generators to acquire allowances worth 100% of their carbon emissions each year, and certify compliance annually. The current system calls for certification every three years, and only mandates allowances equivalent to half of carbon emissions for the first two years of each period.

The program is looking for ways to appeal to potential new participant states that have less aggressive decarbonization goals than current member states without watering down the program’s overall impact on decarbonization, said Acadia Center policy analyst Paola Tamayo. Acadia suggested possible program mechanisms such as giving proportionately more allowances to states with more stringent emissions targets to incentivize tighter limits.

“At this point it is critical for states to maintain a high level of ambition when it comes to programs like RGGI,” Tamayo said. “There are different mechanisms that they can implement to accommodate other states.”

The program review is expected to yield a model rule some time over the winter, though updates may be made into the spring as the RGGI states receive and consider feedback on how to accommodate potential new participants.  

States will also need to maintain and strengthen their own climate policies to magnify the impact of RGGI, Campbell said. He pointed to Massachusetts, where Gov. Maura Healey needs to show “bolder leadership,” he said, and Maine and Vermont, where the Conservation Law Foundation has filed lawsuits in an attempt to compel the states to meet their own carbon reduction deadlines. 

“It’s especially important that the states that have strong emissions reduction mandates speed up the implementation of their climate laws,” he said. “State leadership on these issues is going to be more important than ever.”

As climate focus shifts to states, East Coast partnership offers model for multi-state collaboration is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

Police Department to Host School Bus Food Drive for Thanksgiving

Police in Hillsborough, New Jersey, will be hosting a food driver “stuff the bus” this holiday season.

The Hillsborough Township Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 205 shared news on its social media confirming that a food drive will be hosted on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to provide food for those who are in need.

According to local news report, members of the Township Police will be outside the ShopRite supermarket at Nelson’s Corner shopping center, Route 206, days before the event to collect donations from shoppers.

Residents who will collaborate are being asked to purchase non-perishable items to fill the bus with essentials. A yellow school bus will be parked outside the store as donations are being dropped off. The school bus will then be driven back to the Community Assistance Network facility, where donations will be unloaded and prepared for distribution.


Related: Colorado School Bus Gives Students Experience in the Food Industry
Related: Mobile School Bus Food Pantry Provides Thanksgiving Meal
Related: Colorado Parents Raise Money for Holiday Surprises for School Bus Drivers
Related: Giving Tuesday Kicks Off Annual Holiday Donation Drive in Pennsylvania

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