
EPA Offers $40 Million in Diesel Emission Reduction Grants
For the new round of DERA funds, the EPA expects to make between 20 and 80 awards for projects to replace or retrofit older diesel vehicles, including school buses.
SEATTLE — School bus technicians and inspectors convened here last week to test their skills in the annual America's Best competition.
Casey Middleton of Oklahoma placed first in the school bus inspector category, while Patrick Maloney of Colorado took the top spot in the technician category.
This year's event, held Sept. 24-27, was the 10th edition of America's Best. The Washington Association for Pupil Transportation and PACCAR hosted.
To view a variety of shots from the event, see our photo gallery.
Marshall Casey, one of the America's Best organizers, said that there were 31 participants representing 19 states.
The national event includes separate competitions for technicians and inspectors, each with a written exam and a hands-on portion. Participants also attend training seminars and tour host facilities.
Here are the 2013 top competitors:
Inspectors
1. Casey Middleton, Tulsa (Okla.) Public Schools
2. Bryce Ivie, Utah Highway Patrol
3. Ryan Texer, Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, Fountain, Colo.
Technicians
1. Patrick Maloney, Douglas County School District, Castle Rock, Colo.
2. Jon Studivant, Ozark (Ark.) Public Schools
3. Bill Alsko, Hopewell (Va.) Public Schools
For more information on America's Best, go to www.americasbesttech.org.
For the new round of DERA funds, the EPA expects to make between 20 and 80 awards for projects to replace or retrofit older diesel vehicles, including school buses.
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The ebright Smart Control System has been incorporated into Stertil-Koni’s Diamondlift.
A $30,000 grant funds installation of Idle Free Heat technology on Granite School District buses.
Automotive supplier and tire manufacturer Continental unveils ContiConnect, which uses the Internet of Things to help enhance tire maintenance.
The OEM cites lower upfront costs and maintenance savings as key factors in the growing sales of its Vision Gasoline bus.
The dealership’s Oklahoma and Illinois branches undergo training and improvements aimed at enhancing the customer experience.
Two new cooling compressors target trends in bus manufacturing, featuring smaller designs and higher capacity.
Roush CleanTech is fielding inquiries about propane and other fuels in the new “Got Questions?” section of the School Bus Fleet site.
JohnDow Industries’ new line of Diesel Carrytanks are available in 58- and 106-gallon capacities and are designed to transport and transfer diesel fuel wherever needed.
School buses powered by Roush CleanTech propane fuel systems with Ford 6.8L 2V and 3V engines are covered under the CARB HD-OBD certification.
The new facility features a 15,000 square foot service area, including a paint booth and specialized bays to service CNG vehicles.
A new series of universal multi-purpose fork adapters are engineered to increase the versatility, utility, and performance of Stertil-Koni’s mobile column lifts.
An introduction to Thomas Built Buses’ first-generation Saf-T-Liner C2 electric bus, Jouley.
With temperatures as low as minus 30, Howard-Winneshiek CSD says its propane buses warm up in a few minutes.
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Gary Vavra
| about 5 years agoCongratulations Patrick. We all know you are the best. Now the rest of the School Districts know you are. You have made us all proud. Great job.