Environmental Progress - Spring 2005

Governor's Illinois Clean School Bus Program Funding Surpasses $1.8 Million to Illinois School Districts

First corporate Adopt-a-Bus sponsor also joins program

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Renee Cipriano announced the award of seventeen new grants through Governor Blagojevich's Illinois Clean School Bus Program in April, bringing the total amount of individual school district grants to $1,815,290, and recognized the first corporate "Adopt-A-Bus" sponsor for the program.

The latest round of grant awards total $557,802 in funding to benefit Illinois school districts and their students. School districts in the Tri-County area (Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford Counties) have led the pack applying for and receiving funding totaling nearly $519,000 since the program was announced in October 2003. Tri-county school districts that have received funds are East Peoria Community High School District #309, El Paso Gridley CUSD #11, Eureka CUSD #140, Fieldcrest CUSD #6, and Roanoke-Benson CUSD #60. Illini Bluffs CUSD #327 and Metamora CUSD #1 also received grants in a previous announcement.

Representatives from these districts received certificates for their participation in the program from Director Cipriano and State Sen. George Shadid, during a visit to East Peoria High School by Director Cipriano on April 18.

"We are very pleased to see so many school districts taking the initiative to provide a healthier environment for their students and communities," said Director Cipriano. "We will continue to educate school districts on the options available under the Governor's Clean School Bus Program with hopes of enlisting more districts throughout the State."

Under the Governor's Illinois Clean School Bus Program, 43 Illinois school districts have received grants to improve their diesel-powered school bus fleets by incorporating clean-diesel technology and fuels. The projects represent various options including installing diesel oxidation catalysts, particulate filters, non-idling equipment and cleaner fuels, such as biodiesel and ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). Funding remains available for school districts interested in becoming part of the Illinois Clean School Bus Program.

So far, 686 diesel school buses have been made cleaner through grants from the program. They include 506 diesel oxidation catalyst installations, 49 particulate filter installations, 52 ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel use, 327 biodiesel fuel use, and 179 anti-idling equipment installations.

"It is important that we teach by example when given the opportunity," said Superintendent Cliff Cobert, East Peoria Community High School District. "Through these efforts to provide a healthier environment, we are not simply instructing our students on environmental issues, we are demonstrating a positive commitment to improve our air quality."

On Earth Day, April 22, Director Cipriano joined students at Andrew Jackson Language Academy in Chicago and officials of Cook-Illinois Corp to welcome them as the first corporate sponsor for the Adopt-a-Bus portion of the Clean School Bus Program. After attending an Illinois EPA Clean Bus Workshop last year, the company, which provides transportation to Chicago and several and other school districts in the region, decided to shift to the use of cleaner biodiesel fuel made with soybeans.

The company intends to switch to biodiesel for its 1,4000 school buses in 15 Chicago area communities, making it the largest clean school bus fleet in the nation.

"By using biodiesel fuel in their fleet, the company is setting an exemplary model of how to provide a healthier environment for our children and communities," said Director Cipriano. "Promoting the use of cleaner biodiesel fuel is a top priority of Governor Blagojevich, and we are pleased to have them join the Illinois Clean School Bus program."

"Every day, families entrust us with the safety for their children," said John Benish, Jr. Chief Operating Officer of Cook-Illinois Corp. "As a Chicago leader in alternative fuels, we wanted to be the first to improve the air quality and provide a cleaner and safer atmosphere for school children."

The Illinois EPA also continues to expand its education efforts and developed an anti-idling CD, another key tool for the Illinois Clean School Bus Program. The CD features options available through the program, as well as testimonies from school district personnel on the benefits of eliminating unnecessary idling and retrofitting school buses. The CD can be requested by school district throughout the state and serves as an additional effort to further reduce emissions from school bus fleets.

Funding for the Illinois Clean School Bus Program is provided by numerous sources including federal grants, corporate contributions through the Agency's Adopt a Bus Program and supplemental environmental projects received as the result of Illinois EPA enforcement cases.

Additional information on the Illinois Clean School Bus Program and the new Anti-Idling Video is available on the Illinois EPA's website or by calling (217) 557-1441.

E-85 Use Expands:
Website Has Tips

A registry where users of E-85 (85 percent ethanol fuel) can report current prices around the state, specific types of flexible fuel vehicles that can safely use E-85, an expanding list of stations carrying the fuel, how to apply for state rebates on fuel purchases, and other information is now available on a the Illinois Green Fleets web site operated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.