News Releases from Region 06

EPA Awards Rebates to Two Louisiana School Districts to Replace Ten School Buses

DALLAS - (Feb.11, 2015) Thousands of school bus drivers safely transport children to and from school every day and they should not have to worry about pollutants emitted from buses. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding a total of $120,000 to three school districts in La. to replace older diesel school buses with new buses that emit 90 percent cleaner emissions.

"Reducing emissions from school buses is a proven and effective way to improve air quality," said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. "Cleaner air is important for everyone, especially our children."

Ouachita and Lincoln Parish school districts will receive rebates through EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act to replace ten of their existing diesel school buses. Since 2008, the DERA program has funded over 600 clean diesel projects across the country. These projects have reduced emissions for more than 60,000 engines.

EPA has implemented standards to make diesel engines more than 90 percent cleaner, but many older diesel school buses remain in operation and predate these standards. Older diesel engines emit large amounts of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. These pollutants are linked to aggravated asthma, lung damage and other serious health problems.

Nationwide, 76 recipients will receive rebates through EPA's DERA funding to replace 210 existing diesel school buses. To view a list of the 2014 School Bus Replacement Rebate recipients, visit: http://epa.gov/cleandiesel/dera-rebate-schoolbus.htm#2014.

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