RALEIGH, N.C. — Last week, the North Carolina General Assembly approved a bill — SB 1452 — that would require at least 2 percent of fuel purchased by school districts annually for their buses to be a minimum blend of B20 biodiesel fuel if it is available.

The bill is currently awaiting Gov. Michael Easley's approval. If signed, it would become effective on June 1, 2008.

In late July, the General Assembly also approved legislation — HB 1912 — that would establish a pilot program to provide grants to local school districts to retrofit school buses with equipment that would reduce diesel emissions.

Funds from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program would account for 80 percent of the grant money — the state would be required to match the remaining 20 percent.

Additionally, the grant money would be allocated to eligible school districts from a School Bus Diesel Emissions Reduction Account. Eligible school districts would consist of those located in nonattainment areas of the state.

The bill is awaiting the governor's approval.