Rondout Valley Central School District’s plan to add electric school buses operated by First Student first came before the Rochester Planning Board in April. The project is intended to help meet a New York State mandate and is supported by a $10 million Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean School Bus Program grant.

At earlier meetings, the board raised safety concerns and questions about the impact on bridges. To keep the project moving and avoid jeopardizing the grant, applicants agreed to proceed with the original 20 buses and return with an amended site plan for five additional buses, along with plans to remove an existing diesel tank.

At the October 26 meeting, Michael Cline, representing First Student, said the company was in the preliminary stages of securing Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) approval to remove the tank, a process he expected to take 30 to 60 days. The work will include removing the above-ground storage tank, testing the underlying soil and addressing any contamination before completing the removal.

Cline said First Student was willing to assume responsibility for the tank’s removal and related liability in exchange for approval of the additional five buses.

Planning Board Chair Rick Jones said Cline must first address comments on the site plan and supporting materials from LaBella Associates, the board’s engineering consultants. The project can then proceed to the Ulster County Planning Board.

DEC approval and documentation of the tank’s closure will be conditions of approval. The board also anticipates requiring a separate bond covering the additional buses and potential tank-removal costs.

A public hearing on the project is scheduled for December. The next Rochester Planning Board meeting is November 9.