GALLATIN, Tenn. — The Southeast Diesel Collaborative recently presented the Tennessee Department of Education and Conservation with funds to install pollution-control equipment on 40 school buses in Sumner County, Tenn.

The $250,000 grant was awarded as part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus USA program and will be used to retrofit the buses with closed crankcase ventilation systems and diesel particulate filters — devices that are designed to reduce particulate matter emissions, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions.

“EPA is proud to recognize the efforts of the Tennessee Department of Education and Conservation for their efforts to improve air quality and public health,” said EPA Regional Administrator Jimmy Palmer. “Emissions from diesel engines are a serious public health threat and environmental challenge, as well as a priority for EPA.”

Sumner County schools will further decrease diesel emissions through its idle reduction policy, and through its use of biodiesel fuel to power its county-wide fleet of 220 buses.