NEWARK, N.J.—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking steps to lessen the impact of diesel gas pollution from aging school buses on the environment. More than $6.7 million has been allocated for the purchase of clean propane autogas buses in round three of the EPA's Clean School Bus Program funding, according to a statement from the Propane Education and Research Council. Fifty-eight districts have been tentatively selected to receive a total of 269 propane autogas buses to replace the nation's aging diesel bus fleet.

As part of the Clean School Bus program, the EPA will provide transportation directors with up to $30,000 for every propane autogas bus purchased. The EPA said the program prioritizes high-need local educational agencies and rural and tribal school districts. As a safe, affordable, portable and available energy source, propane is an ideal solution for school transportation. The buses reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 96 percent compared to diesel, have a range of 400 miles, and can continue to operate even if the electric grid is down, the EPA said. 

“School districts see the value propane autogas buses can bring to their students, to their community and the environment,” said David Walters, director of autogas business development for the Propane Education and Research Council. “With the lowest total cost of ownership, reduced emissions, and improved uptime, it's clear that propane autogas buses are an excellent choice. We applaud the districts that have decided to prioritize student health and the environment with their new propane autogas buses, and we hope others will follow their lead.” 

The EPA said the program has allocated more than $2.8 billion for 8,427 electric school buses and 440 low-emission propane buses. “The goal of the program is to reduce emissions as quickly as possible to provide our children with a safe, clean and healthy ride to school,” Walters said. “According to the Department of Energy, there are more than 450,000 school buses in the United States, and the vast majority run on diesel. By replacing dirty diesel buses with clean propane autogas buses, we can better ensure that more children are riding in a clean school bus,” he said.