South Coast Air Quality Management District

Approve Grants to Public School Districts and Private School Bus Operators to Retrofit 1,058 Diesel School Buses with Particulate Traps Under Lower-Emission School Bus Retrofit Program

SYNOPSIS:

On March 1, 2002, under the FY 2001-02 Lower-Emission School Bus Retrofit Program, the AQMD issued Program Announcement & Application #PA2002-04 in the amount of $1.77 million soliciting applications from public school districts and private school bus operators to retrofit school buses with particulate filters. A similar program announcement in the amount of $5.637 million was also issued in FY 2000-01. A total of 46 applications were received. Staff recommends making awards to retrofit 1,058 diesel school buses with particulate filters, with a maximum amount of $6,500 for purchase and installation of a particulate filter and $500 for the purchase of low sulfur diesel per bus. Total amount of award shall not exceed $7.406 million.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, May 24, 2002, Reviewed by consent. Since less than a quorum was present during this meeting; the Chair and Board Member Wilson communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to approve grants to public school districts and private school bus operators, as set forth in Table 1, to fund 1,058 eligible diesel school buses, at a maximum amount of $7,000 per bus, for a total amount not to exceed $7.406 million from the Lower-Emission School Bus Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Exhaust emissions from high emitting diesel-fueled school buses are harmful to children and are a key source of public exposure to toxic diesel particulate matter and smog forming pollutants. There are thousands of older school buses on the road that have remained in service simply because school districts lack funds to replace them.

To replace some of these older high polluting school buses in the Basin, last fiscal year (FY 2000-01), AQMD awarded public schools 102 compressed natural gas (CNG), and 62 lower-emitting diesel school buses for a total of $17.91 million. This fiscal year (FY 2001-02), the Board awarded 39 CNG and 20 lower emitting diesel school buses up to a maximum of $6.841 million.

In addition, on March 01, 2002, AQMD issued PA #2002-04 seeking applications from public school districts and private school bus operators in the Basin, to fund the retrofit of diesel school buses with particulate trap filters. Funding from this year’s announcement ($1.77 million) was combined with funding from a similar announcement last year ($5.637 million) for a confirmed funding of $7.407 million for retrofitting eligible buses (see Table 1).

Eligible buses are those diesel bus engines that are 1994 or newer for which diesel trap filters have been verified by CARB. Buses with exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) are currently excluded from the eligibility list. Applications from 46 public school districts and private school bus operators were received and assessed. From a list of 1,743 buses, 1,112 buses were deemed eligible for these retrofits. Using the San Diego APCD experience as background, staff is recommending a maximum amount of $6,500 per bus for the purchase and installation of these diesel particulate filters. In addition, as outlined in the program guidelines, $500 will be paid for each bus to cover the incremental cost of low sulfur diesel fuel. Thus, with a maximum of $7,000 per bus, staff is recommending that 1,058 buses be eligible for a total award of $7.406 million. Primary preference was given to public school districts over private school bus operators. All eligible buses are awarded with the exception of 54 buses operated by three contractors, which received awards for 85% of their eligible buses. Staff anticipates that CARB will provide additional funding for retrofits in the near future, and all 1,112 eligible buses can be retrofitted.

These awards are set forth in attached Table 1. School Districts receiving these funds retain the option of selecting from the qualified vendors whose particulate trap filters have been verified by CARB.

State law, AB 1390 (Firebaugh), requires 50% of the funds to be spent to reduce pollution or risks from airborne toxics and particulate matter in areas that have the most significant exposure to air pollution or localized air pollution, including low income communities or minority communities or both. The following qualify under AB1390:

• School districts in areas where at least 10% of the population falls below the Federal poverty level based on the Year 2000 census data in combination with
  • Being in areas with the highest 15% of PM concentration, OR
  • Being in areas with the highest 15% of toxic exposure.

Table 1 indicates that under staff recommendation, schools located qualifying in EJ areas and identified under AB 1390 (Firebaugh) will receive 57 percent of the total award. These school districts include Alhambra City and High, Anaheim City, Anaheim Union, Azusa Unified, Baldwin Park Unified, Bear Valley Unified, Coachella Valley Unified, Colton Joint Unified, Downey Unified, Garden Grove Unified, Jurupa Unified, Los Angeles Unified, Montebello Unified, Ontario-Montclair, Rialto Unified, and Savanna. In addition, private contractors, First Student and Cardinal have confirmed that a majority, i.e. 85% and 70% respectively, of their buses operate for Los Angeles Unified School District.

Benefits to AQMD

The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. School buses operate in close proximity to students, teachers and neighbors. Many schools provide bus services in heavily populated areas. The successful implementation of the school bus retrofit program will provide less polluting and safer school transportation for school children. In addition, the program will maximize the potential emission benefits in low income, high diesel and high PM10 exposure areas.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of funding for the school bus replacement program shall not exceed $7.406 million. Sufficient funds are available from the Lower-Emission School Bus Replacement and Retrofit Fund, which has been established as a separate fund by the AQMD, to be used for the replacement and retrofit of school buses in the Basin.

Attachment

Table 1: Particulate Trap Retrofit Awards Recommended List

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