THE NATIONAL CLEAN BUS NETWORK

home || about ||   news  ||  the problem  ||  solutions  ||  clean bus fleets  ||  links  ||  comments

The National Clean Bus Leadership Recognition Program

Washington , D.C. , October 26, 2004 : The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)  recognizes six state and local initiatives for leading the nation in deploying cleaner bus fleets. Public transit agencies, school districts and local government initiatives are highlighting the importance of cleaner public transportation to reduce congestion, improve air quality and protect public health.

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District ( Oakland , CA ) is recognized for its leadership in investing in and developing advanced technologies.   AC Transit’s $20 million hydrogen fuel cell demonstration program promises to be an important indicator for hydrogen’s integration into the nation’s bus fleets and the transportation industry as a whole.  AC Transit’s commitment to the evaluative and educational components of the de

monstration program illustrates the agency’s understanding of the factors that lead to technological development and acceptance.

Durham Public Schools ( Durham , NC ) is recognized for its leadership in establishing fleet-wide usage of biodiesel.  During the 2003-2004 school year, Durham used more than 600,000 gallons of B20 (a 20% biodiesel, 80% diesel blend) in its fleet of 325 buses.  Durham received initial funding through the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and has also received significant support from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  Durham ’s use of biodiesel provides continued promise of a new cash crop to North Carolina ’s farmers who face uncertain futures.

Jordan School District and Salt Lake Clean Cities Coalition ( Salt Lake City , UT ) are recognized for their leadership in promoting a cultural awareness of alternative fuels and technologies.   Working in partnership, Jordan School District and Salt Lake Clean Cities Coalition are striving to clean up Jordan ’s bus fleet and integrate an innovative alternative fuels curriculum into the district’s drivers education programs.  For the 2004-2005 school year, Jordan ’s compressed natural gas (CNG) buses are expected to displace approximately 33,000 gallons of petroleum and prevent nearly 250 tons of emissions.

King County Metro Transit ( Seattle , WA ) is recognized for its leadership in investing in advanced technologies and emissions reduction strategies.  By year’s end, King County expects to fully integrate 213 hybrid-electric buses into full-time service.  In their first year of service, the hybrids are expected to save approximately 750,000 gallons of petroleum and provide a quieter, more efficient service.  King County ’s use of ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) continues to significantly reduce particulate matter and other emissions, while spurring the development of this important market. 

Knoxville Area Transit ( Knoxville , TN ) is recognized for its leadership in exploring innovative emissions reduction strategies.  Special recognition goes to Barry Greenberg, Knoxville Area Transit (KAT)’s Director of Maintenance, who has provided many innovative strategies for reducing the emissions of the increasingly forward-thinking transit agency.  In 19 months KAT went from using no alternative fuels to using alternative fuels in 80 percent of its fleet – a number KAT hopes to increase to 95 or 100 percent.  KAT’s strategies include the use of propane, biodiesel (mixed on site with additives to decrease NOx emissions), and hybrid-electric technology.  KAT’s onsite emissions testing facility allows the agency to continually alter its use of fuels to enable lower emissions.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is recognized for its leadership in developing a statewide clean school bus campaign.  The campaign has coordinated efforts with student transportation providers to establish commitments and guidelines from school superintendents for better driving practices with a particular focus on reducing idling.  In the first year of the program, schools implementing idle reduction policies reduced idling of over ten minutes by more than 50 percent – reducing emissions and providing a healthier environment for students.

According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), conventional diesel engines power nearly 86 percent of the more than 76,000 active transit buses nationwide; yet diesel engine emissions of particulate matter present an airborne cancer risk. Its emissions of nitrogen oxides lead to the formation of ozone, which exacerbates asthma, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and the disabled.

The latest APTA survey of 300 public transit agencies shows that investment in diesel buses is decreasing. Nearly 85 percent of buses built in 2003 were diesel-powered, while only 58 percent of buses on order for 2004 will use diesel. Future diesel bus orders currently represent approximately 60 percent of the total.

Cleaner-burning fuels and advanced vehicle technologies can reduce the harmful effects of diesel emissions produced by a significant majority of the nation’s buses. Federal legislation passed in 1998 established the Clean Fuels Formula “Clean Bus” Grant program, but this program was never funded. The program expired in 2003 and requires reauthorization. Budget constraints at the state and local level make federal support for the deployment of cleaner buses especially important.

The National Clean Bus Leadership Recognition Program was initiated in 2003 by EESI to highlight the leadership of local initiatives to bring cleaner buses to America ’s communities and to remove America ’s dirtiest diesel buses from our roadways.  This program is part of EESI’s Clean Bus Project, initiated with the goal of encouraging the deployment of cleaner fuels and advanced vehicle technologies by strengthening support for local, regional, state, and national ‘clean bus’ initiatives that have recognized the environmental and health impacts of conventional diesel buses, and are working towards cleaner transportation practices.