Maine Clean School Bus Program

Reduce Diesel Exhaust Emissions to Breath Easier

Riding the school bus is the safest way to get to school. But studies show that students exposed to exhaust (link to http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/airtox/diesel.html) from diesel school buses face some health risks, including asthma and cancer.

 

What's New

• Green Fleet Across America
• 2003 Clean School Bus USA Grant Final Report (pdf)
• Top Five Reasons to Ride the Bus
• Bus Driver Appreciation (PDF)
• EPA Health Effects From Air Pollution Poster

State Initiatives

We have a number of initiatives underway with leadership and support from the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Association for Pupil Transportation.  Efforts include:

•  An intensive statewide program to reduce school bus idling and to create no idling zones around all school facilities.

•  Over 400 school buses have been or are scheduled to be retrofitted with up to date emissions reduction technology through a series of EPA Grant awards.

•  69 new school buses were installed with exhaust Diesel Oxidation Catalysts - paid for by a combination of funds from the Maine school bus purchase program and local dollars.

•  Portland Public Schools has three alternative fuel technology compressed natural gas (CNG) school buses- paid for by Department of Education school bus purchase funds in combination with a Clean Cities Grant and local monies.

•  Several districts are utilizing biodiesel in their buses - Falmouth and Portland being leaders in this effort.

•  We have eliminated mercury components in all new school buses.

•  Department of Education is working with the DEP and MAPT to eliminate lead wheel weights from school bus tires.

•  Exhaust opacity testing has been provided by the DEP mobile sources unit to help districts establish a base line for preventative maintenance purposes.

 

Children's Exposure to Diesel Exhaust on School Buses

 

The Environment and Human Health, Inc. reported a study on diesel exhaust on school buses in 2002. Their findings indicated f ine particulate concentrations measured on buses in this study were often 5-10 times higher than background levels. Levels were often higher under certain circumstances when buses were idling with windows opened, when buses ran through their routes with windows closed, when buses moved through heavy traffic, and especially when buses queued to load or unlaod students. For more information on this study click on the link http://www.ehhi.org/reports/diesel/

 

Publications

Maine DEP wants to help school districts all over the state minimize these risks. To find out more about our program download the following documents:

• DEP Workshops at MAPT Conference - July 2004
  
• School Bus Newsletter Fall 2004 (PDF)
  
• EPA National Retrofit Conference Presentation (PPT)

• Fall 2003 Environmental Bulletin (PDF)
  
• Options for Reducing Pollution from School Buses (DOC)
  
• Fall 2002 Environmental Bulletin (PDF)
  
• Letter from DEP and DOE to Superintendents (PDF)
  
• Maine Association of Pupil Transport Position Paper (PDF)
  
• PowerPoint Presentation for Superintendents and School Boards (PPT)
  
• Hop On Board (PDF)
  
• Clean School Bus EPA Press Release (DOC)
  

No-Idling Guidelines, Tips and Tools

A bus can burn approximately one gallon of diesel fuel for each hour it idles. Idling wastes fuel and exposes children and drivers to harmful diesel exhaust.

Check out these materials to facilitate the implementation of no-idling guidelines:

• No Idling Brochure
  
• http://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus
  
• EPA Fact Sheet
  
• Portland Public Schools No-Idling Guideline
  
• Sample No-Idling Guideline
  
• Doing My Share for Clean Air Pledge Card
  
• No-idling Reminder Magnet
  
• No-Idling Tip Sheet
  
• Honor Roll If your school has a no-idling guideline, send us a copy and we'll add your school district's name to our.
  
• EPA Bus Driver Training Video, for free copy email Lynne A. Cayting

 

More Strategies for Reducing Diesel Emissions

• Auxillary Heaters
  
  If you're concerned about keeping buses warm and fog-free, consider a device for heating and engine warming.
  Argonne National Lab
  Webasto
  
• School Bus Maintenance

A smoking bus is a sign of a poorly maintained and inefficient engine. Routine Maintenance can improve bus performance and reduce emissions.

• Modify Bus Routes

Planning bus routes to minimize the time students spend on the bus minimizes those students' exposure to diesel emissions.

• Emission Control Retrofits

Take advantage of the lowest cost in the nation for diesel oxidation catalyst mufflers (DOCs) using the State of Maine contract with Donaldson Company.

Donaldson Company DOC Fact Sheet

Adding emission controls to existing buses can reduce emissions at much lower cost than purchasing new buses.

Diesel Oxidation Catalyst Fact Sheet (word) (pdf)

See US EPA's Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program and Verified Technology List for information on retrofits.

• Other Fuel Options

Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), 20% biodiesel, Natural Gas (CNG) and propane (LPG) are all options that can reduce bus emissions.

See the Alternative Fuels Data Center for more information.

• Purchasing Cleaner Buses

When purchasing new buses, look for engines that meet 2007 emission limits.

• Student Service-Learning Project

Involve students and community members in your no-idling campaign:

• Research and bring topic to attention of School Board

• Create promotional posters
  
• Measure success

• Reward drivers on a regular basis with special "thanks" cards

For More Information

Contact Lynne Cayting, Maine DEP Bureau of Air Quality

(207) 287-2437 lynne.a.cayting@maine.gov

 

 

 

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