WAREHAM, Massachusetts - 2 towns and a public school district in Massachusetts have been selected to gain a total of $240,000 in rebates to help pay for twelve new school buses that emit less pollution than the older buses currently in use. This backing was made accessible under EPA's Clean Diesel Program.
Backing will be awarded to the communities of Wareham, Dartmouth and Swansea. The bus operators selected were:
• The Town of Wareham, which will gain $200,000 to replace ten buses
• The Town of Dartmouth, which will gain $20,000 to replace one bus;
• Swansea Public Schools, which will gain $20,000 to replace one buses.
These funds are part of nearly $885,000 that will be awarded to school bus providers in New England to replace 49 buses, in twelve fleets, and of in excess of $7 million in rebates nationwide to replace or retrofit 400 older diesel school buses in 85 fleets across 35 states.
"Investing in clean diesel school buses will help ensure cleaner air for our children and for all community members," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "Thanks to the Clean Diesel Program, thousands of children can breathe easier and enjoy better health."
"Replacing old polluting vehicles is one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions," said Congressman Bill Keating. "According to the EPA, areas that have more air pollution also have residents with increased respiratory health issues such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. The beauty of this plan is twofold - carbon emissions and pollution is reduced while our aging school bus fleets are updated. I wholeheartedly support the Towns of Wareham and Dartmouth in their efforts."
Older diesel engines emit large amounts of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which are linked to instances of aggravated asthma, lung damage and other serious health problems. Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution.
In 2007, E.P.A. put into effect requirements to make newer on-road diesel engines, including school buses, in excess of 90 percent cleaner. However many older diesel school buses remain in operation and predate these standards. The Clean Diesel Plan along with other programs under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, work to accelerate turnover of the national diesel fleet by taking older, more polluting engines out of service.
This was EPA's 3rd round of the School Bus Rebate Program. Applicants were able to apply for rebates to replace buses or retrofit them with pollution control devices. For replacements, between $15,000 and $25,000 per bus was awarded, depending on the size of the bus, to replace buses with engine model years 2006 and older. New this year, applicants also had the option of retrofitting school buses with engines from model years between 1994 to 2006 with diesel oxidation catalysts and closed crankcase ventilation systems to reduce toxic emissions. E.P.A. will fund the purchase and installation of these devices, up to $3,000. Applicants were randomly selected and placed in order on a list until all funds for the Plan were allocated.
The other New England 2015 school bus rebate recipients were in Connecticut, Maine and Vermont. Nationally since 2008, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Plan has funded in excess of 650 clean diesel plans across the country, reducing emissions from in excess of 60,000 engines.
More information:
- EPA's diesel rebate Plan http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-rebates
- Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Plan http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel
