
Los Angeles District Approves Clean Energy Resolution
The fourth-largest district school bus fleet in the U.S., according to School Bus Fleet's research, commits to transitioning to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2040.
NSTA members receive access to grant funding, certification and recognition programs, and hands-on assistance from industry peers to help them run cleaner school bus fleets. Whether members are interested in idling reduction, upgrading to newer and cleaner diesel engines, or need help moving to alternative fuels like propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), or electric, NSTA helps in a variety of ways.
NSTA has been a leading supporter of EPA programs that help improve and protect the environment.
Each day, nearly 500,000 school buses transport over 26 million students to and from school, more than intercity and intra-city bus transportation, rail, and aviation combined. So, EPA programs aimed at improving the environment through reduction of diesel emissions get the biggest bang for their buck when applied to school bus fleets. Most significant is NSTA’s role in providing private contractors with access to Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grant funds.
The DERA program, originally authorized in 2005, continues to produce environmental benefits well in excess of its cost. Reports from the EPA show that every DERA grant dollar invested returns from $5 to more than $20 of healthcare savings and other benefits. Further, every federal dollar is typically matched by $3 of non-federal funds.
The program helps promote a host of new technologies, which are almost entirely developed and built in the U.S. School bus operators know that diesel vehicles are workhorses that last a long time. DERA helps the school bus industry to get older buses still in service off the road, cleaning the air in the process.
In fact, modern emission control technology in newer school buses emits up to 95% less soot and smog-forming emissions. NSTA helps its members understand and access DERA grant funds so they can upgrade their fleets while helping to improve the environment.
Whether members are interested in idling reduction, upgrading to newer and cleaner diesel engines, or need help moving to alternate fuels … NSTA helps in a variety of ways.
Since 2010, the NSTA Green Fleet Certification program has recognized NSTA members for creating a cleaner environment through available technologies.
The certification standards are amended each year with guidance from the EPA to reflect changing industry standards. The program encourages the development of efficient, environmentally friendly school bus fleets by comparing member fleets to EPA particulate matter emission reduction standards, showing progress overall in the reduction of such emissions. The EPA has supported NSTA’s Green Fleet Certification program since its inception.
Additionally, the annual NSTA Go Yellow, Go Green award recognizes a member company that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to green fleet efforts and, through corporate practice and industry leadership, best demonstrates the principles of NSTA’s Go Yellow, Go Green campaign.
NSTA’s guidance is not limited to assisting members with access to EPA funded grant programs and providing recognition and encouragement. Members have access to actual hands-on help.
The NSTA Manufacturers, Suppliers, & Technology (MST) Committee is focused on helping its members understand, embrace, and obtain the best and most innovative school bus fleets available.
The MST Committee, which includes subject matter experts, works to connect members with experts in evolving technologies through roundtables, seminars, webinars, podcasts, as well as people and companies producing the latest school bus innovations.
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NSTA’s manufacturer members have generously opened their doors to provide members with tours of their facilities and time to meet with the engineers who are developing newer and cleaner school bus fleets.
NSTA members are leaders in providing safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly school transportation. Join NSTA for guidance, support, and access to grant funding that will help improve your fleet while improving the environment for generations to come. There is clean power in collaboration with your industry peers. With NSTA, you never travel alone.
The fourth-largest district school bus fleet in the U.S., according to School Bus Fleet's research, commits to transitioning to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2040.
The state’s second round of Volkswagen settlement funding will be used to support a total of 15 clean air projects that will reportedly reduce almost 68 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions.
Take a look at Jouley, the first generation Saf-T-Liner C2 electric bus.
The new buses for Suffolk Transportation and Bay Shore Union Free School District are part of the first production line series of electric models from Blue Bird.
The Missouri Propane Education and Research Council’s rebate to Student Transportation of America is for its purchase of 10 of the alternative-fuel buses. The council has committed $1 million to help school districts in the state transition from diesel to propane buses.
Henry County Schools' Blue Bird Vision propane buses are expected to emit 500 fewer pounds of particulate matter per year and about 19,000 fewer pounds of nitrogen oxide than the diesel buses they replaced.
The National Congress on School Transportation Steering Committee firms up plans and writing committees are researching requests for procedures manual changes. The Congress will meet in Des Moines, Iowa, in May.
The program is designed to guide school districts through the necessary steps for integrating electric vehicles into fleets. Topics covered include route optimization, infrastructure assessment, and funding.
The school bus manufacturer will start offering Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems’ Intellipark Electronic Parking Brake on its Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley electric bus in July 2020.
The IC Bus parent company opens its NEXT eMobility Solutions unit in Detroit to deliver customized electrification solutions for commercial vehicles, including school buses.
The school bus manufacturer delivers more than a dozen propane-powered buses to Newport News (Va.) Public Schools and North Penn School District in Lansdale, Pa.
The mulit-dispenser charging solution enables automated, sequential vehicle charging with up to four dispensers per power control system.
Electric buses, onboard technology, seat belts, and illegal passing were key points of discussion on the first full day.
The electric school bus manufacturer’s second educational facility is located in Green Island. Lion launched its first Experience Center in Sacramento, Calif., last fall.
The two states are offering funding for low-emission, alt-fuel school buses. Florida is also providing funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
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