Cleaning Up School Bus Fleets: Less Fumes, Same Zoom… A presentation of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Clean School Bus Coalition. Eric Cheung, Clean Air Council Staff Attorney/ Coordinator Philadelphia Diesel Difference Program Presentation to the PA Association of School Business Officials 2004 Transportation Conference October 21, 2004

Yellow Buses in PA: ZOOMING ALONG School buses provide an important service for PA residents –25,823 school buses in operation statewide –1,513,603 students transported to school –346,477,854 annual miles traveled –37,222 school bus drivers employed (PA School Bus Association) Environmental benefits –Community-based transportation - not required under PA law. –Approximately 80% of all public school students are transported by buses (School Bus Information Council) –“B” Grade/”Ahead of the Curve” (Union of Concerned Scientists) –80% of bus PA buses are relatively new (1990s) (UCS) Other benefits –Cost per pupil of public expense $491 (SBIC) –PA Student fatalities from 1995 – 2000: 5 (all in 1995/1996) (PSBA)

Diesel Pollution: THE FUMES Health risk to children –Exacerbates chronic respiratory diseases, bronchitis, asthma –Contains known carcinogens –Particularly harmful to developing lungs and can even inhibit lung capacity Contributor to poor air quality –Diesel trucks and buses are responsible for two-thirds of all particulates, and 40% NOx, which is a smog precursor, from highway vehicles in PA. (US EPA) –The Philadelphia region has consistently been in violation of the federal health standards for smog and will be designated as being in violation of the new fine particulate standard. Philadelphia area statistics concerning diesel particulates (from 1999) –260 premature deaths –3,700 asthma attacks (economic cost: $160,000) –32,000 missed days of work (economic cost: ($4.4 million in lost wages)

Introducing The Southeastern PA Clean School Bus Coalition Promoting ways and providing assistance to reduce air pollution from school buses. Coalition participants: Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities Program Energy Cooperative of Pennsylvania Lower Merion School District Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Philadelphia Diesel Difference Clean Air Council Johnson Matthey Rentar Environmental Solutions PennFuture PA Department of Environmental Protection U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Philadelphia Air Management Services School District of Philadelphia

Philadelphia Diesel Difference Promotes voluntary Clean Diesel technologies and strategies in order to improve air quality in the Greater Philadelphia region. Coordinator: Clean Air Council/ Philadelphia Air Management Services For more information: Eric Cheung ext

Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities Program Promotes alternative fuel vehicles and other petroleum-displacing measures to improve air quality, promote economic development, and reduce imported oil. Coordinator: Energy Cooperative Of Pennsylvania For more information: Nathalie Shapiro (215)

New Diesel Regulations Mid-2006: Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) required for all on-road diesel vehicles 2007: Original equipment manufacturers produce engines with cleaner exhaust systems Combined: New regulations will result in at least 90% reduction of particulates and 95% reduction in NOx. But until then…

Voluntary Clean Options!!!!!! For Diesel Engine Vehicles, Including School Buses

Clean Option #1: Diesel Retrofits/After-Treatment Devices Diesel Particulate Filters + ULSD Diesel Oxidation Catalysts Repower or Replace Success Stories: –Wissahickon –North Penn –Upper Darby –West Chester School District (through Krapf Bus Company) –North Allegheny County –General McLane

Clean Option #2: Cleaner Burning Diesel Fuel Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) –Sulfur content at or less than 15 ppm –Can reduce particulates by 5 – 9% alone. –Diesel Particulate Filters must use ULSD –Incremental cost 8 to 25 cents more per gallon Emulsified Diesel –Water blend –Can see 50% reduction in particulates –Incremental cost of 20 cents more per gallon Other Additives –Check to be sure technology has been verified

Clean Option #3: Idling Reduction Idling Reduction Technologies –Auxiliary Power Units –Direct-Fired Heaters –Automatic Engine Idle Idling Reduction Laws –Philadelphia –Allegheny County (2004) Voluntary Idle Reduction –Clean Air Council Program –School district policies

Clean Option #4: Alternatively Fueled Buses Compressed Natural Gas Propane Biodiesel Success Stories: –Lower Merion School District (CNG) –Medford Township School District (Biodiesel) –Springfield Township School District (Methanol) –Great Valley School District (Biodiesel pilot project)

Biodiesel Made from vegetable oil (commonly soy or recycled restaurant grease) B20 blend results in 10-15% particulate reductions, but a slight NOx increase Success Stories: PA Turnpike Commission, Valley Forge National Park, Willow Grove Naval Air Base 25 – 30 cent per gallon increase Suppliers: –Energy Cooperative of Pennsylvania –World Energy

Funding Opportunities Clean Buses For Kids Program ( –$20 Million for Diesel Retrofits –Possibility of Biodiesel/ULSD blend –Only School Districts who own/operate their fleet can participate –We will provide assistance to Southeastern PA fleets U.S. EPA – Clean School Bus USA - $50 Million expected U.S. DOE/Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities – State Energy Program Special Projects PA DEP – AFIG Philadelphia Diesel Difference – Adopt-A-School Bus