1	Going Green in Yellow School Buses: Clean School Bus Programs
2	Overview Concern Over Diesel Emissions What’s in Diesel Emissions? Health & Environmental Effects Regulatory Programs Technologies for Reducing Diesel Emissions Efforts to Reduce Diesel School Bus Emissions through Idling Management Practices & Other Means ________________________________
3	Diesel Exhaust – What’s In It? Particulate Matter (PM) Nitrogen oxides (NOx) Volatile Organic Compounds Other Hydrocarbons Sulfur Oxides (SOx) Air Toxins (benzene, dioxins, formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)) – over 40
4	Health Effects of Diesel Exhaust Short Term Effects Eye, throat, and lung irritation (including COPD) Painful breathing Increased cough, phlegm production Triggering asthma attacks Long Term/Non Cancer Effects Longer exposures can lead to inflammation of and microscopic changes to lung tissues, leading to reduced lung function Heart Disease & Preventable Death Cancer Risk Number of Federal & State organizations determined diesel exhaust is likely a carcinogen
5	Further Information on Health Effects U.S. EPA’s Health Assessment Document for Diesel Exhaust http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=29060 or easier yet, visit http://www.epa.gov/otaq/schoolbus/health.htm Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study http://eh.uc.edu/ccaaps
6	“Diesel and Health in America” Feb 2005, Clean Air Task Force diesel PM contributes annually to:
7
8	Diesel Exhaust Contributes to Environmental Degradation Acid Rain Eutrophication of Waterways Crop and Forest Damage Smog Global Warming
9	Other Reasons to Clean up Diesel Exhaust Federal Requirements National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Ohio is not attaining air quality standards in many parts of the state for particulate matter and ozone U.S. EPA revises the NAAQS based on new health & environmental research Also sets national regulations for sources of air pollution State Requirements States adopt regulations to help reduce emissions throughout the state or just in nonattainment areas
10
11	Consequences of Nonattainment Unhealthy Air = Public Health Issue Health care costs Lost work and missed school days Nonattainment may impact new businesses and some transportation projects
12	National Clean Diesel Campaign What is U.S. EPA doing about diesel emissions? Regulatory: Set stringent standards for new diesel engines & fuels On-Road (e.g., School & transit buses, large freight trucks) Non-Road (e.g., Construction and agricultural equipment) Fuel (e.g., Reduce sulfur in diesel fuel significantly) Voluntary: Work with partners to educate public on diesel emissions & to reduce emissions from existing fleets (including identify funding opportunities)
13
14	Diesel Rule Impact Non-road Diesel Rule In 2030 annually prevents: 12,000 premature deaths More than 8,900 hospitalizations Almost 1 million work days lost On road Diesel Rule In 2030 annually prevents: 8,300 premature deaths More than 9,500 hospitalizations 1.5 million work days lost
15
16	Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) What is it? Device that oxidize pollutants in the exhaust stream What does it do? Reduces PM (10-50%), HC 50%, CO 40% Cost: $500 - $2,000 Issues: Most widely used technology No maintenance required Lower PM reductions than DPF Applicable to most engines and vehicles
17	Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) What is it? Honeycomb or mesh devices placed within exhaust stream that physically trap and oxidize PM What does it do? Reduces PM, HC, CO (60 to +85%) Cost: $5,000 - $10,000 Issues: Must be used with ULSD Passive filters require higher operating temp. Periodic removal of unregenerated ash
18	Technologies for Reducing Diesel Emissions from Existing Fleets U.S. EPA’s Diesel Technology Verification Program provides assurances to public about retrofit exhaust technologies http://www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/verif-list.htm Designed to reduce emissions of existing diesel vehicles and equipment Has a rigorous testing program for evaluating technologies Works with technology vendors, engine manufacturers, MECA Memorandum of Agreement between U.S. EPA and CARB
19	To retrofit a bus, muffler is replaced with a particulate filter or DOC and then fueled with ULSD (if filter).
20	Mobile Idle Reduction Technologies Direct Fired Heaters Diesel Driven Heaters Auxiliary Power Units Automatic Engine Idle System Energy Recovery Systems
21	Auxiliary Power Units What is it? Small diesel powered combustion engine, ~10 hp, EPA certified non-road engines What does it do? AC, heat and power for auxiliaries Cost: $5,000-$7,000 Issues: Weight*, maintenance, extra tax, costly
22	Tomorrow’s Buses for Today’s Kids School buses provide safe, convenient transportation to 24 million children most of the buses are diesel powered 1.3 million Ohio Children ride school buses Awareness in communities re: school bus emissions is increasing Especially regarding link between children’s exposure to exhaust from diesel school buses and health concerns Buses will not be required to be replaced to meet 2007 standards Good news! Technology, fuels and practices exist to make school buses cleaner for healthier kids and communities
23	Clean School Bus USA A partnership of public and private sector leaders Launched in April 2003 – Focusing on the cleanest possible transportation for this generation of school children by: Reducing school bus idling & reinforcing smart driving practices Retrofitting buses with modern pollution control technology Replacing the oldest buses with new cleaner, buses
24	Working with the School Partners- Transportation Departments Awareness by this group can have immediate impact on emission reduction through their efforts to support the installation of technologies and implement idling management & smart driving practices Occupational exposures can be of concern to them Studies and concerns often focused on children However, drivers are on/near buses 7 hours a day (if not longer)! Idle reduction can save money and reduce exposure to you and the community
25	$$ Savings $$ Total idle time reduction throughout the day = 30 minutes Number of buses=60 Typical school bus uses half a gallon of fuel per hour of idling Diesel cost= $2.40/per gallon
26
27	Reduce Idling Outreach to drivers, fleet managers & local officials on health threat & economic ramifications program to recognize drivers & fleets Technical options change circuit configurations to run heater & lights off battery use block heaters to keep engine warm over night use engine pre-heaters, reduce early morning warm-up Additional options turn off engines when pull into yard limit early morning idling time at depot (5 minutes) Saves fuel, saves $$$, reduces engine wear & tear = Economic Benefits & Cleaner Air!
28	CSB USA Idle-Reduction Campaign Public information campaign Help improve air quality Saves money by not wasting fuel Reduces wear and tear on engines Protects drivers’ health and the health of countless children Recognizes the important role of the school bus driver as a professional, responsible for the safety and security of the children who ride on their bus Provides forum for children to learn about air quality and diesel emissions and the positive contribution being made by drivers in their school district
29	There are 25 million reasons why it’s important to reduce idling
30	What is CSB USA’s Idling & Smart Driving Messages to Drivers? The homework: Turn off engine as soon as possible after arriving at school loading or unloading areas. Only restart the bus when ready to depart Limit idling time during early morning warm up to what the manufacturer recommends (generally no more than five minutes) Remember to follow idling laws and guidelines in your state or community, if applicable Drive at least three car lengths behind a vehicle with visible exhaust or noticeable odor
31
32	Reduced Idling = Cleaner Air My bus driver keeps me safe and the air clean Our bus driver turns off the engine whenever he can I have asthma – less pollution makes it easier for me to breathe and play It all adds up – less idling saves money for our school district
33	State of Ohio Efforts to Clean Up Diesel Emissions from School Buses Ohio Environmental Council: Works w/public fleets and public/private contracted Helped with Anti-idling Policies/Ordinances Supports effort by State on policies, rulemaking efforts, funding opportunities Nationally recognized for leadership on diesel issues Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Voluntary funding opportunities
34	Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) Ohio’s Clean Diesel School Bus Fund Created in State Budget Bills 2006-9 Funded from polluter penalties collected by OEPA enforcement Amount available for grants: $300,000 each grant cycle (2 times) 1^st two years, provided funds to retrofit buses $1.4 million to retrofit 545 school buses in 26 districts removed more than 8 tons of pollutants from air Ohio school districts may apply (public & private fleets) Application Deadlines: March 3 & September 2, 2008 http://www.epa.state.oh.us/oeef/html/schoolbus.html Working with Ohio Department of Development & partners to launch Diesel Emission Reduction Grant Program – More to come!
35	Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative Region 5 effort: Areas: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin Supports Clean School Bus USA programs and efforts in municipalities and other sectors Request for Proposal (RfP) to be coming out mid March Public fleets (including school buses) Clean School Bus USA information www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus Region 5 Midwest Clean Diesel Initiatives Request for Proposal www.epa.gov/midwestcleandiesel
36	Proposal Tips When developing School Bus Proposals: Partner with other school districts or organizations to leverage resources Do your homework Fleet information Cost estimates/cost effectiveness Pollution reduction estimates Read directions carefully Talk to successful applicants
37	For further information Sheila Batka U.S. EPA Region 5 Clean School Bus USA Program 312-886-6053 Batka.sheila@epa.gov