The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday announced the award of more than $3 million in rebates to replace 210 older diesel school buses with new buses that are more than 90 percent cleaner, reducing pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that are linked to health problems including asthma and lung damage.

Seventy-six school bus fleets in 30 states will receive rebates through EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act funding to replace school buses.

RJ Rhodes Transit in Ambridge, Beaver County, received a grant.  The company serves several school districts in Western PA.

“Americans put their children on school buses for a safe ride to school. They shouldn’t have to worry about harmful pollutants emitted from these buses,” said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.  “This funding will help keep our children safe and improve the health of those in communities across the country.”

Since 2008, the DERA program has funded over 600 clean diesel projects across the country. These projects have reduced emissions for more than 60,000 engines.

For more information, visit EPA’s Clean Diesel School Bus Grants webpage.

2/16/2015