EPA gives school buses a push to go green

School buses around the nation will soon be going greener thanks to $7.7 million in funding recently approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The funding will improve air quality by replacing 401 aging diesel buses in 27 states with cleaner diesel-burning technology. It is made possible through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.

"These funds will enable school districts to acquire the most advanced, reliable and efficient technology that will deliver kids to school in clean air and energy-saving style," Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, said. “We expect that, like in previous years, over 90 percent of these transit agencies will choose clean diesel over other fuel types.”
 
The reduction act includes a rebate program of up to $25,000 to help eligible school districts and school transportation providers offset the cost of disposing of aging buses and buying new, clean buses. Funding helped pay for the modification or replacement of 73,000 old diesel-powered engines between 2008 and 2013.
 
"School transportation officials recognize that new technology diesels not only are more reliable and available than alternative fuels, but that they also have low-emissions and cost far less, helping keep more school funds in the classrooms than on the parking lots," Schaeffer said.