Ohio’s Clean Diesel School Bus Retrofit Grant Program Winner of a 2008 Leadership Award from the

Why retrofit school buses? Reduce children’s exposure to diesel exhaust from school buses Reduce the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses

Diesel Exhaust and Health Diesel exhaust contains small particles known as fine particulate matter. Fine particles can lodge in the lungs and aggravate conditions such as asthma and bronchitis US EPA has determined that diesel exhaust is a likely human carcinogen.

Diesel Exhaust and Children Children are more susceptible to air pollution than adults because their respiratory systems are still developing, and they breathe at a faster rate See Clean School Bus USA humanhealth.htm humanhealth.htm

Information on Health Effects U.S. EPA’s Health Assessment Document for Diesel Exhaust cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid = cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid =29060 University of Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study

Why School Buses? 1.3 million Ohio children ride school buses Children’s school bus commute potentially exposes them to significantly higher concentrations of pollutants than what is measured in the community’s outdoor air.

Why School Buses? Statistics show that school buses are the safest way to transport children. Ohio EPA wants to help ensure that school buses are also the cleanest way to transport children

Why “Middle-Aged” School Buses? Control technologies are already installed on newer buses (model years 2007 on) Buses of years are likely to be on the road for many more years USEPA required refiners to switch to ULSD fuel to reduce air pollution, and because some retrofit technologies require it.

Program Goals Retrofit existing school buses with devices that reduce pollution Reduce school bus idling Provide assistance funding to Ohio school districts for successful approaches to reducing bus pollution

Please note: This is a voluntary program.

Ohio’s Clean Diesel School Bus Fund Approximately $1 million available for grants each year School districts may apply for up to $300,000, and apply again in another cycle for another grant.

Funding Sources Funded from polluter penalties collected by Ohio EPA enforcement efforts ($600,000 per year), US EPA grants under the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (~$350,000 per year), and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds ($1.73 million in 2009)

Results so far… Since the program began in 2006, Ohio’s Clean Diesel School Bus Fund provided $7 million to retrofit 2,286 school buses with pollution controls, installed idle reduction equipment onto another 451 buses, and removed more than 124 tons of pollutants from the air.

Results so far… 128 school districts and county developmental disability programs received grants

Who May Receive Grants? Ohio Public School Districts County Developmental Disability Boards Applications will be accepted from school districts that propose to sub-contract with commercial school bus companies that provide their student transportation service, to retrofit buses owned by those companies. Retrofitted buses must be maintained in the fleet for 3 years.

Grant Application Deadlines March 1 September 1

Grant Sizes $5,000 - $300,000 Applicants are free to select less expensive catalysts for more buses, or more expensive filters for fewer buses. Applications will be considered based on overall reductions achieved.

Priority Grant Recipients School districts located in counties designated by US EPA as non- attainment for fine particulate national air quality standards School districts that have an anti-idling policy or employ other measures that reduce air pollution from the district’s school bus fleet.

Grant Requirements Applicants must provide at least a 5% match, either in-kind or from other funding sources. Matches that fund additional retrofits are encouraged. Installations/retrofits must be completed within one year. (Time extensions may be approved for good cause.)

Buses Eligible for Retrofits Diesel-powered Gross vehicle rating of 19,500 pounds or more (Types C & D) Driven at least 5,000 miles per year Model year only

Technology Options Ohio EPA will only fund equipment (specific make and model) on the USEPA or CARB verified technology lists. Ohio EPA is not able to verify other technologies. Ohio EPA will consider proposals to fund the equipment needed to clean filters, and other verified air pollution control equipment. (Note that pre-heaters won’t score as well as retrofits.)

Technology Options US EPA Verified Technologies California Air Resources Board Verified Technologies htm htm

Technology Options Ohio EPA strongly encourages school districts to consider combining closed crankcase systems with the other technologies, to most efficiently reduce the blow-by emissions that can come up into the cabin of the bus

Fuel Options Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) is required for some filter technologies. It is now the universally available diesel fuel since October Biodiesel if compatible with equipment Emulsified Diesel if compatible with equipment

Technologies selected so far Most Ohio recipients have selected diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs), diesel particulate filters (DPFs), and closed crankcase ventilation systems (CCVs). Pre-heaters and other idle reduction technologies are also eligible.

Finding Vendors See US EPA’s list of verified technologies See US EPA’s list of retrofit contacts

Unified Bid Opportunity Ohio Department of Administrative Services has posted a state contract #RS for installed retrofit equipment that school districts may access through June, (It is optional, not mandatory to use these vendors). Online at 0_OC.pdf 0_OC.pdf Contact: Russell Perry

Factors Ohio EPA will consider in awarding grants Anticipated level of PM 2.5 emission reductions, particularly in-cabin reductions Demonstrated pollution reduction efforts, such as anti-idling programs in place Anticipated level of reduction of other air pollutants such as CO and HC Air quality (Level of non-attainment)

More Factors Ohio EPA will consider in awarding grants The applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed retrofits and maintain the equipment Strength of match provided by applicant Number of miles traveled by the affected buses Geographic balance of grants awarded across Ohio

Grant Application Application, can be downloaded online at Paper, faxed or ed applications can be accepted, but we need an original signature copy by the deadline Call if you don’t receive confirmation in 2 business days

Other Funding $ources US EPA Clean School Bus Grants US EPA Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative Ohio Diesel Emission Reduction Grants List of additional grant sources

Publicizing Your Program Order free copies of “The Magic School Bus Gets Cleaned Up” from US EPA book.htm book.htm

For more information On diesel bus retrofitting and air quality standards, John Paulian, Division of Air Pollution Control, On the grant program, Carolyn Watkins, Office of Environmental Education, or