Nebraska schools receive $90,000 in DERA funding to reduce school bus emissions

Schools in Ord and Auburn, Nebraska, will receive $90,000 in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce emissions from five older diesel school buses, part of $7 million recently allocated by the EPA throughout the country.

The funding, provided through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program, will be used to replace or retrofit the engines of the buses, thereby improving local air quality by reducing levels of pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. Ord Public Schools received $30,000 to address two buses, and Auburn Schools will work on three buses with $60,000.

“Schools and other organizations that install clean diesel technology are doing more than just saving money — they’re creating cleaner, healthier air for children and all community residents,” EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality Director Christopher Grundler said. “This program continues to help thousands of children breathe easier and lead safer lives year after year.”

This year marks the first year that the EPA’s DERA funding was also applied to retrofitting engines with Diesel Oxidation Catalyst plus Closed Crankcase Ventilation Systems, which are fully funded for buses from model years 1994 to 2006. The EPA’s DERA program has improved air quality with 650 clear diesel projects covering more than 60,000 engines since 2006.