Texas district receives $2M to purchase propane buses
Houston Independent School District receives a total of $2,120,500 from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Railroad Commission of Texas to help buy the buses. The money will fund 70 percent of the cost, with the district covering the rest.
HOUSTON — The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Railroad Commission of Texas awarded the Houston Independent School District (HISD) $2,120,500 to help buy 25 propane-fueled school buses.
The HISD board will vote on acceptance of the funds during its regular board meeting. The grants — $1.5 million from the TCEQ and $620,500 from the Railroad Commission — will help fund 70 percent of the cost to purchase the buses, with HISD covering the rest.
"These 25 buses have a dual benefit," HISD General Manager of Transportation Nathan Graf said. "They are considered 'green' in that they produce fewer toxins and other smog-producing emissions than gasoline and diesel engines, and they are a smart budget decision because they also lower fuel and operating costs."
According to the EPA, propane-fueled vehicles produce 30 to 90 percent less carbon monoxide and about 50 percent fewer toxins and other smog-producing emissions than gasoline engines.
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