The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is pleased to announce the availability of grant funding for school bus emission reduction projects. Assembly Bill 923 (Firebaugh), enacted in 2005, authorizes air districts in California to collect $2 in motor vehicle registration fees to be used to fund emission reduction projects in their district. This year a total of $488,653.29 is available for use in San Luis Obispo County to replace or retrofit school buses.
Diesel engines have long been implicated as significant sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx), an ozone precursor pollutant. In August 1998, however, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) listed diesel exhaust particulate as a toxic air contaminant, recognizing its potential for both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic public health impacts. Several recent, comprehensive health studies have demonstrated that diesel engines, though representing only a small fraction of the total on and off-road engine inventory, account for a disproportionate share of the toxicity of urban air – in some cases up to 70 percent.
Replacing older school buses with new, cleaner buses and retrofitting eligible buses with particulate filters results in reduced toxic diesel exhaust and lower public health risk, particularly for school children.
Interested school districts can apply for grant funds at http://www.slocleanair.org/programs/schoolbus. Application must be submitted by November 11, 2013.