Seven school districts were awarded grants from Iowa’s Bus Emissions Education Program to reduce diesel emissions from their bus fleets. Carlisle, Linn-Mar, George-Little Rock, Wayne, Belle Plaine, Waverly-Shell Rock and Camanche Community school districts will receive $38,000 each to replace a 1993 model year or older bus with a new bus that meets 2010 EPA certification.

They will also be reimbursed 100 percent for the purchase and installation of a combination of up to 20 diesel oxidation catalysts and/or closed crankcase ventilation systems on 2003 model year and older buses.

The districts were selected based on six factors:

• The programs and curriculum the school district has implemented for air quality, mobile source pollution and its effect on the earth's life cycle and atmosphere;

• the school district is located in area targeted for emissions reduction;

• strength of district's idling-reduction policy;

• the age and use of the bus to be replaced;

• the efforts school district makes to reduce air pollution; and

• completeness and accuracy of fulfilling application requirements. 

"With population centers targeted for emissions reduction, it was gratifying to find out school districts are teaching and emulating practices to reduce air pollution," said Mindy Kralicek, Iowa Department of Natural Resources air quality information specialist. "Not only are they very conscientious about reducing energy consumption, they are supporting safe alternatives for children to get to school by walking and riding bikes on designated routes. Suppliers and parents are asked to turn off their vehicle engines while they are parked at schools."