[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Receives $200, 000 EPA Grant For Help in Funding Clean School Buses

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Receives $200,000 EPA Grant For Help in Funding Clean School Buses

PHOENIX (April 7, 2008) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) Director Steve Owens announced today that the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding ADEQ $200,000 to help fund
low-emission school buses in Arizona.

ADEQ will use the EPA funds to help school districts in the Phoenix area
install diesel particulate filter (DPF) emission control devices on
school buses. The filters can reduce harmful particulate emissions by
about 85 percent, carbon monoxide by up to 90 percent and ozone
precursors by more than 90 percent.  

ADEQ will invite school districts to apply for grants this spring of up
to $5,000 to cover the costs of the filters and the labor to install
them. The funds will cover new filters for about 40 buses. 

To receive the grant funds, schools must participate in ADEQ's voluntary
School Bus Idling Program, under which school districts reduce diesel
emissions by limiting bus idling near schools.

 "Diesel exhaust is one of the most harmful pollutants that our children
are exposed to on a daily basis," Director Owens said. "We will use this
money to help local school districts install new pollution control
filters on school buses to help protect our children, as well as reduce
particulate pollution levels overall in the Phoenix area.  These funds
will help us continue to clean up school bus fleets in Arizona and
reduce diesel emissions."

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News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

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