EPA approves NSTA ‘green’ certification program

WASHINGTON — Senior EPA officials have approved the National School Transportation Association’s (NSTA) “Go Yellow, Go Green” fleet certification program.

The program will recognize operators who have taken steps to ensure their fleets are "going green" through the use of idle reduction programs, emission control technologies and newer, lower emitting buses.

There will be three recognition levels: gold, silver and bronze. EPA also approved the use of its Clean School Bus USA logo on the NSTA certification.

NSTA said it hopes that the certification will help contractors demonstrate the industry’s commitment to ensuring the cleanest school bus fleets possible and help to educate communities on the environmental benefits of the yellow bus.

Details about how to apply for certification will be released in the near future, NSTA said.