Oregon DEQ expands Diesel School Bus Replacement Grant Program
By Paul Hall on Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
EASTERN OREGON – As students increasingly head back to in-person schooling, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is helping to make transportation cleaner and safer for them and the environment. The agency today announced it has expanded the range of buses eligible for its Diesel School Bus Replacement Grant Program to engine model years 2002 through 2007. DEQ estimates more than 1,100 school buses now qualify for funding, including those from school districts that previously applied for and were awarded grants.
The program’s goal is to replace, retrofit or re-power at least 450 dirty diesel school buses in an effort to protect human health and improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions. A 2015 DEQ report details health benefits for students travelling on lower emissions buses, including improved lung function and reduced incidences of bronchitis and asthma, with resulting decreases in absenteeism.
According to the DEQ, a local school bus company has not taken advantage of the grant program but was encouraged to do so.
For more details, go to https://go.usa.gov/xAfyk.
