Eco-Friendly Buses Coming To Lower Merion School District

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently announced $3.4 million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants to 20 projects across the state, and Lower Merion School District got a cut.

Projects awarded grant funding aim to help improve air quality and public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change.

In Lower Merion, the district is getting funds to buy eco-friendly buses.

The district was awarded $289,590 to buy 10 compressed natural gas school buses.

"These grants help cities, counties, school districts, colleges, as well as delivery, trash hauling, and other companies across Pennsylvania that want to be proactive in reducing air pollution from transportation," said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. "Their projects will help Pennsylvanians breathe cleaner air at school, in their communities, and at their workplaces."

The Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant Program funds projects that replace older gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles with cleaner fuel vehicles to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide, a principal greenhouse gas.

Vehicles supported by the program include electric, ethanol, biodiesel, compressed natural gas, propane gas, and other cleaner fuel powered vehicles. It also supports installation of fueling stations for these vehicles.

Transportation generates 47 percent of nitrogen oxides emissions in Pennsylvania, contributing to the formation of ground-level ozone. This affects the health of children; older people; people with lung diseases, such as asthma and emphysema; and those who work or are active outdoors. The state Department of Health has found that asthma-related emergency room visits increase when air quality is very poor.

Vehicles release 21 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the state, contributing to climate change.

Collectively the projects are anticipated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 900 metric tons per year.