GRAND LEDGE, Mich. — Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities (GLACC) has been awarded a $1.07 million grant from the EPA to reduce school bus emissions in mid-Michigan.

The grant money will be used to retrofit more than 400 Dean Transportation Inc. school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts and replace six Grand Ledge Public Schools buses with newer, low-emission buses.

Competition for funding from the EPA — which is available as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) — was stiff. More than 81 grant applications requesting $211 million to help fund clean diesel emissions projects were submitted to the EPA’s Region 5. GLACC was among only 12 applicants selected for $26.5 million in total funding across the region.

“We are grateful to the U.S. EPA for this award of ARRA funds," GLACC Executive Director Rachel Kuntzsch said. "This grant project will go a long way toward meeting GLACC's goal of advancing clean transportation solutions in mid-Michigan.”

Aside from improving air quality through the bus retrofits and replacements, the companies and agencies involved said the grant money will help to create and retain jobs in Michigan.

“This grant supports Dean’s commitment to our children, to our environment and to a healthier community,” said Kellie Dean, president of Dean Transportation. “Thanks to the grant, Dean will be able to hire additional technicians to support our current staff with the installation of the diesel oxidation catalysts on our vehicles.”