News release: EGLE Fuel Transformation Program grants fund 300 diesel school bus replacements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2020
Debra Swartz, EGLE Environmental Quality Specialist, SwartzD@Michigan.gov, 517-284-6903
Nick Assendelft, EGLE Public Information Officer, AssendelftN@Michigan.gov, 517-388-3135

EGLE Fuel Transformation Program grants fund 300 diesel school bus replacements

Michigan school districts will replace 300 older diesel buses with models powered by clean diesel and propane engines under grants awarded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). More than $8.7 million in grants will be awarded under EGLE’s Fuel Transformation Program.

“Replacing older, diesel engines with clean diesel or propane delivers savings for school districts and will also improve public health at bus stops, on school grounds, and in communities,” said Jack Schinderle, Director of EGLE’s Materials Management Division. “Students who have cleaner air to breathe will do better in school and have fewer health concerns.”

The school districts submitted proposals either individually or as part of a group. The new buses will operate in 36 counties, including all 10 counties that are in non-attainment for the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. The new buses will reduce oxides of nitrogen, greenhouse gases, particulate matter and other harmful emissions.

The 25 grantees and the types and number of buses to be purchased

School district or consortium	Grant total	Diesel	Propane
Brown City Community Schools1	$1,894,648.50	44	20
Chippewa Valley Schools	$597,618.75	25
Corunna Public Schools	$88,000.00	4
Dexter Community Schools	$211,198.00	8
Dundee Community Schools	$26,688.00	1
Durand Area Schools	$164,650.00		4
Fennville Public Schools	$69,285.75	3
First Student Incorporated2	$202,594.52	9
Genesee Intermediate School District3	$216,426.08	8
Grand Ledge Public Schools	$119,141.25	5
Gwinn Area Community Schools	$42,793.20		1
Harbor Springs Public Schools	$27,000.00	1
Hillsdale Community Schools	$28,750.00	1
Ionia Public Schools	$68,849.25	3
Iosco Regional Education Service Agency4	$759,872.85	11	13
Lenawee Intermediate School District5	$340,697.00	8	4
Livingston Educational Service Industry	$66,750.00	3
Meridian Public Schools	$209,527.50	9
Oakland Schools6	$515,000.00	21
Riverview Community Schools	$79,588.80		2
Thornapple Kellogg School District	$40,137.60		1
Utica Community Schools	$701,054.00	30
Wayland Union Schools	$68,833.25	3
Wayne Regional Education Services Agency7	$2,138,287.90	8	48
Whitmore Lake Public Schools	$47,500.00	2

1 Includes Berrien Springs Public Schools, Byron Center Public Schools, Capac Community Schools, Cass City Public Schools, Croswell-Lexington Community Schools, Decatur Public Schools, Edwardsburg Public Schools, Fruitport Community Schools, Holt Public Schools, Hudsonville Public Schools, Lakeshore Public Schools, North Branch Public Schools, Northview Public Schools, Plainwell Community Schools, Saline Area Schools, Unionville Sebewaing Area School District, Van Buren Intermediate School District, and Yale Public Schools.
2 Includes Nile Community Schools, Adrian Public Schools, Benton Harbor Area Schools, and Harrison Community Schools.
3 Includes Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools.
4 Includes Alcona Community Schools, Oscoda Area Schools, West Branch-Rose City Area Schools, Alpena Public Schools, Crawford AuSable School District, and Hillman Community Schools.
5 Includes Onsted Community Schools, Madison School District, Hudson Area Schools, and Morenci Area Schools.
6 Includes Walled Lake Community School District and West Bloomfield School District.
7 Includes Huron School District, Livonia Public Schools, Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools, Romulus Community Schools, and Wayne-Westland Community Schools.

Districts will have the new buses on the road within the next two years.

Fuel Transformation Program grants are supported with dollars allocated to Michigan from the Volkswagen settlement. The settlement was a result of Volkswagen’s Clean Air Act violations related to the installation of emissions control defeat devices on thousands of diesel engine vehicles. As part of the settlement, Michigan was allocated a total of $64.8 million and will use 21.5 percent of that total to replace old diesel school buses.

Out of that 21.5 percent, Michigan granted $4.2 million to pay for up to 70 percent of the costs associated with buying 17 electric buses in seven districts around the state as well as Level 2 and DC Fast Charging Stations for the vehicles.

For more information, visit the Fuel Transformation Program website at Michigan.gov/EGLEFTP.

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