CHICAGO — Along with the 50 year anniversary of Earth Day, the Evironmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a little over $1 million to replace 52 older diesel buses in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Nationally, the EPA awarded $11.5 million to replace 580 older diesel school buses, with funds going to 157 school bus fleet in 43 states and Puerto Rico.
All will receive rebates through EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding. The new buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage.
“As we continue to celebrate Earth Day’s 50th anniversary, EPA continues to be committed to providing communities access to rebates to improve and replace aging school buses that will improve air quality across the country and provide children with a safe and healthy way to get to school," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.
Wheeler also said, “While many fleets are currently off the road as we all social distance during COVID-19, these local school districts will start up again, and EPA is proud to have helped equip them with cleaner running buses.”
EPA Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede said, “One way the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act helps protect health and the environment in the Great Lakes region is by replacing older school buses with newer, cleaner ones."
Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) said, “I am proud to announce five new buses for the Boardman Local School District that will not only carry children to school, but will do so in a way that will reduce emissions and pollutants that can cause asthma and lung issues in children."
Ryan also said, “At this time of a national health crisis, we need to more mindful than ever that there are things we can do to help keep all of us healthy, and that is especially important for our children.”
Applicants replacing buses with engine model years 2006 and older will receive rebates between $15,000 and $20,000 per bus, depending on the size of the bus.
Below are the applicants receiving awards for new buses in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin:
Illinois:
- Bureau Valley CUSD #340 recieving $80,000 and replacing 4 buses
- Champaign Community Unit School District 4 receiving $105,000 and replacing 6 buses
- Northwestern CUSD #2 receiving $15,000 and replacing 1 bus
- Peoria Public School District 150 recieving $100,00 and replacing 5 buses
Indiana:
- Manchester Community Schools receiving $20,000 and replacing 1 bus
Michigan:
- Benzie County Central Schools receiving $140,000 and replacing 7 buses
Minnesota:
- Becker ISD 726 receiving $40,000 and replacing 2 buses
Ohio:
- Alexander Local Schools receiving $40,000 and replacing 2 buses
- Boardman Local School District receiving $100,000 and replacing 5 buses
- Fairfield Local School District receiving $20,000 and replacing 1 bus
- Lucas Local School District receiving $20,000 and replacing 1 bus
- Wauseon Exempted Village School District receiving $15,000 and replacing 1 bus
Wisconsin:
- Chequamegon School District receiving $20,000 and replacing 1 bus
- Kobussen Buses receiving $200,000 and replacing 10 buses
- Marion School District $20,000 and replacing 1 bus
- Safe-Way Bus Transit receiving $60,000 and replacing 3 buses
- Wabeno Area School District receiving $20,000 and replacing 1 bus
EPA has implemented standards to make newer diesel engines more than 90 percent cleaner, but many older diesel school buses are still operating.
Older diesel engines emit larges amount of pollutants, like nitrogen oxides, that are linked to instances of aggravated asthma, lung damage, and other serious health problems.
Since 2008, the DERA program has funded more than 1,000 clean diesel projects across the country, reducing emissions in more than 70,000 engines.
A comprehensive list of the 2020 DERA school bus recipients can be found on the EPA's website.
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