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 ProgramPresentation to the PA Association of School Business Officials2004 Transportation ConferenceOctober 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 ManagementServices

• For more information:Eric Cheung215-567-4004 ext. 237www.cleanair.org/dieseldifference

Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities Program

• Promotes alternative fuel vehiclesand other petroleum-displacingmeasures to improve air quality,promote economic development,and reduce imported oil.

• Coordinator: Energy CooperativeOf Pennsylvania

•For more information:Nathalie Shapiro(215) 413-2122http://www.phillycleancities.org/

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 (www.cleanbusesforkids.com)– $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