LANSING, Mich. — Eight school districts here recently received grant funding to purchase a total of 28 new school buses.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) awarded $626,573 to school districts in Fennville, Fowlerville, Hamilton, Hillsdale, Hopkins, Livonia, Ludington, and Wayne-Westland for new school buses, according to a news release from the agency.

The new buses will use either clean diesel or propane technology to help reduce students’ exposure to exhaust fumes and particles from the buses while they are riding and getting on and off, according to EGLE.

The agency said in the news release that it recognizes the need to support healthy students by promoting the use of cleaner fuels and technologies through the Michigan Clean Diesel Grant Program. The Michigan Department of Education also said that it recommends minimizing school bus idling time when parked to reduce student's exposure to exhaust emissions.

EGLE reports that more than half of its annual budget flows into Michigan communities in the form of grants, loans, and other spending that supports local projects that protect public health and the environment.

For more information about future diesel bus replacement opportunities and the Michigan Clean Diesel Program, go here.