Kansas school districts receive $220,000 to reduce emissions from older diesel buses

Three Kansas school districts recently won funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to replace or retrofit older diesel school buses in their fleets, which in turn will reduce emissions of harmful pollutants that can cause health issues like asthma and lung damage.

Maize’s Maize Unified School District (USD) 266 will reduce emissions from six buses with a rebate of $120,000; Turner USD 202, in Wyandotte County, will receive $80,000 for four buses; and Altoona-Midway USD 387, in Buffalo, will receive $20,000 for one bus. Kansas’ total funding of $220,000 is part of the more than $7 million the EPA recently awarded in Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding.

“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.”

The DERA funding was available to replace buses from model year 2006 and earlier, with rebates ranging from $15,000 to $20,000, or to fit buses from model years 1994 to 2006 with Diesel Oxidation Catalyst plus Closed Crankcase Ventilation systems, with funding covering the full cost of $3,000.