Environmental Progress - Winter-Spring 2004

Illinois Clean School Bus

Free workshops provide assistance to school districts

Following the launch of Governor Blagojevich's Illinois Clean School Bus Program, the Illinois EPA began reaching out to school districts throughout the State. On February 26, Illinois EPA staff held the first in a series of ten Illinois Clean School Bus workshops.

The workshops are designed to provide an overview of the Governor's Illinois Clean School Bus Program and offer assistance to Illinois school districts on the many options available, including funding, to benefit the children and communities of Illinois.

"By hosting these workshops, the Illinois EPA will directly assist Illinois' school administrators and answer questions they may have regarding the Governor's Clean School Bus Program," said Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano. "The workshops will also include diesel engine and fuel manufacturing representatives to allow attendees to see the clean-diesel options available for school buses today."

The free workshops are being held in Springfield, Collinsville, Quincy, Champaign, Peoria, Rockford, Joliet, Des Plaines, Effingham and Carbondale. Each workshop runs from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The agendas include an overview of the Illinois Clean School Bus Program, funding options and two panel discussions on clean engines/retrofit options and clean fuels.

A new feature to the Illinois Clean School Bus program has also been added to highlight the facts about school bus idling. The Illinois EPA has developed a fact sheet on school bus idling, encouraging Illinois school districts to adopt anti-idling policies or guidelines and incorporating non-idling equipment on their buses.

As part of one workshop in Peoria, Director Cipriano presented a grant to Dr. Magie Roberts, Superintendent of Abingdon Community Unit School District. The Abingdon School District applied for funding from the Illinois EPA under the Clean School Bus Program. The District's proposal included the purchase and installation of non-idling equipment on nine school buses in its fleet as well as diesel oxidation catalysts on four of the buses. The total proposal cost is $28,850, and is being funded through the Governor's Illinois Clean School Bus Program.

"We feel the non-idling component of the program is essential in reducing emissions from school buses," said Director Cipriano. "Abingdon's leadership in this area is very encouraging, and we are pleased to assist the District in their goal of providing a cleaner environment for the students and residents of Abingdon."

Additional information on the Illinois Clean School Bus Program is available at www.epa.state.il.us/air/cleanbus.