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WASHINGTON, D.C. — A U.S. Senate committee on Tuesday approved a five-year reauthorization of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), which provides funding to reduce emissions from school buses and other vehicles.
Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF), called the passage by the Environment and Public Works Committee a key step in continuing "a vital clean air program that has benefited communities in every single state in the nation."
The bipartisan legislation was introduced on Nov. 18 by Senators George Voinovich (R-Ohio) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) and cosponsored by several of their colleagues.
“While it’s been difficult lately to find environmental issues that have near-universal bipartisan support among Democrats and Republicans, DERA has proven to be one program to do so,” Schaeffer said.
Reportedly, more than 500 environmental, health, industry and government organizations have endorsed reauthorization of DERA.
"Dirty diesel emissions are a major threat to public health and are linked to thousands of premature deaths, lung ailments and numerous other harmful health issues," Carper said. "This legislation is a win-win-win program, promoting public health and economic benefits and creating new jobs through diesel retrofits."
Schaeffer said DTF hopes the full Senate and House will continue the bipartisan effort and reauthorize DERA during the lame duck session.
Chevin Fleet Solutions’ Workshop Hub, when fully launched in early 2019, can be used as a central location for technicians to complete daily administration tasks such as time sheets, inspection sheets, and workshop audits from the workshop floor.
More than 110 transportation personnel and school officials attend the Ohio stop of the OEM’s tour, which offers educational sessions and ride-and-drives.
National Express will operate the eLions for White Plains City School District. Other pilot partners include Con Edison and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
The California Energy Commission will award up to $78.7 million to replace aging buses, $13 million for electric vehicle infrastructure, and $2.4 million for CNG fueling infrastructure.
Four school bus operators from four states find common ground in dealing with driver shortage, tapping into the benefits of GPS and video cameras, and assessing fuel options. For the most part, they’re sticking with diesel for now, but one is seeing success with an electric bus.
The Propane Research & Education Council unveils a video that highlights autogas growth in the school transportation market.
Idle Free Heat uses residual heat from the engine to keep the interior of the bus warm, circulating the heat through the vents when the bus is turned off.
Each applicant may request up to $800,000 as part of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program. The EPA expects to award up to eight tribal assistance agreements.
Creative Bus Sales' order for a total of 100 electric buses, 10 of which are school buses, is the largest to date for GreenPower.
The manufacturer launches its eLionM, its new electric midi-minibus, and shares plans to unveil the eLionA this summer.
The dealership signs a three-year agreement with the electric bus OEM and orders an initial 15 buses for inventory.
The School District of Holmen’s six Blue Bird Vision propane buses have saved about $12,000 in fuel and maintenance costs over the 2017-18 school year.
Electric school buses are becoming more prominent in pupil transportation as the "Big 3" manufacturers release their own models and tour them, and pilots see positive results.
Diesel has long been the foremost fuel when it comes to large school buses, but there was a noteworthy shift in 2017 as gasoline Type C school buses came into the picture. Propane was the most popular alternative fuel.
John Gonzales, a senior engineer for NREL, discusses alt-fuel trends, funding from the Volkswagen settlements, and the potential of electric school buses.
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