School Buses Running Cleaner With Completion of EPA Grant Activities

September 27, 2007

MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Rains, Senior Environmental Specialist, (515) 281-6061

DES MOINES — The Bus Emission Education Program (BEEP) reported the installation of an additional 213 diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) on school buses in 33 school districts in its September 2007 report to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). BEEP collaborators now believe that nearly every eligible school bus in Iowa that can be retrofitted with a DOC has had it installed.

The report was the final step required in the $248,000 Clean School Bus USA grant awarded to BEEP from the EPA in June 2006. Grant funds were also used toward the purchase of biodiesel fuel in 27 school districts.

BEEP is a collaborative effort to reduce childhood exposure to harmful diesel exhaust. Its objective is to reduce emissions in school bus fleets. The partners include the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI), the Iowa Association of School Boards, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of Education, and the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association. Auto-jet Muffler Corporation was awarded the contract for the DOCS.

According to data from the EPA’s verification, each DOC reduces particulate matter air emissions by 20 percent, carbon monoxide emissions by 40 percent, and hydrocarbon emissions by 50 percent. EPA studies also link reductions in hydrocarbon and particulate matter emissions with the use of various blends of biodiesel compared to low sulfur diesel fuel.

With an earlier $250,000 EPA grant awarded in September 2004, BEEP was able to provide 335 diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) that were installed in 70 school districts, and support the purchase of biodiesel in three school districts.

The complete report is located on the DNR Web site at:

www.iowadnr.gov/air/citizen/educate/files/BEEPGrantReport.pdf