Charging up with North Dakota Homegrown Energy North Dakota pioneers gather to show support for West Fargo Public Schools new electric school bus We are proud to partner with Minnkota Power Cooperative, Secure Energy Future, and the West Fargo Public Schools on bringing the first all-electric school bus to the state of North Dakota. Additional funding for this project was provided by a grant from a North Dakota State Energy Program. In November 2018, the West Fargo School Board awarded a bid to Hartley’s School Buses, Inc. for the purchase of one Blue Bird Corp. all-electric school bus for a net amount of $314,200. West Fargo Public Schools owns the all-electric bus. While the new electric bus has a higher upfront
cost, it is expected to be more cost effective than a traditional bus throughout its lifetime. Based on early numbers the electric school bus costs 9 cents per a mile, while the typical diesel costs between 40-44 cents a mile. West Fargo Public Schools anticipates an annual savings of $2,500 in diesel costs and $1,800 in maintenance costs with the purchase of the electric bus. “The all-electric bus will be powered by North Dakota’s homegrown energy. This project will have a positive impact on many Cass County Electric members; from the cost savings
8 Highline Notes July 2019
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for the school district itself to the hundreds of members who live within the school district,” said Chad Brousseau Cass County Electric’s manager of energy services. “We believe others around the region will see the success of this project, and it will start a conversation in our local communities,” said Ben Fladhammer, Minnkota communications manager. “Someone needed to take the first step, and we’re grateful that West Fargo did that.”
