Five Chester County school districts that are replacing conventional diesel with biofuels to power its school buses were recognized this week by the Department of Environmental Protection as energy leaders.

The districts and organizations recognized include: Chester County Intermediate Unit, the Coatesville, Downingtown, Kennett Square and West Chester school districts, as well as the Energy Cooperative of Pennsylvania, and Krapf Bus Companies.

The Energy Co-op will use a $300,000 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant that was awarded in October to cover the incremental costs of purchasing nearly 2.3 million gallons of diesel fuel blended with 20 percent biodiesel, otherwise known as B20, to power the Krapf buses serving the districts.

The school districts, the Energy Co-op, and Moms for the Future are members of the Chester County Biodiesel Coalition, which also includes Krapf Bus Companies. The coalition members worked together to ensure the switch to biodiesel was successful.

“We feel better knowing that our children will be exposed to less asthma-causing pollutants when they ride the school bus,” said Dianne Herrin, president of Moms for the Future, a grassroots parents’ association. “We also feel great knowing that the B20 biodiesel will help reduce the CO2 pollution that causes global climate change. This success shows that the mother's voice is a powerful voice for good.”

Biodiesel provides significant environmental improvements compared to traditional diesel fuels, including less particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Particulate matter pollution has been linked to asthma and respiratory ailments.

For more information, visit the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants webpage.

12/7/2007