BOARD MEETING DATE: November 4, 2005
AGENDA NO. 10

Approve Grants to Retrofit School Buses with Diesel Oxidation Catalysts

SYNPOSIS:

At its July 8, 2005 meeting, the Board authorized the issuance of a Program Announcement to retrofit model years 1991-93 school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts. A total funding of $127,500 is available from the U.S. EPA for this program. Five public school districts applied for 37 diesel school buses to be retrofitted. This action is to recommend awards for the retrofit of the 37 diesel school buses with oxidation catalysts, in an amount not to exceed $92,500 and to keep the Program Announcement open until the remaining balance of $35,000 is exhausted on a first-come, first-served basis.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, October 28, 2005. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Acting Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Authorize the Chairman to approve awards to public schools to retrofit a total of 37 school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) as set forth in Table 1, in an amount not to exceed $92,500 from the Lower-Emission School Bus Fund.
2. Authorize the Chairman to keep the Program Announcement #PA 2006-02 open and continue to accept and fund applications from public school districts for the retrofit of school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts on a first-come, first-served basis until the remaining $35,000 of the U.S. EPA grant placed in the Lower-Emission School Bus Fund is exhausted.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Exhaust emissions from high emitting diesel-fueled school buses present a risk to children and are a source of public exposure to toxic diesel particulate matter and smog-forming pollutants. To reduce emissions from these vehicles, AQMD has granted awards to replace older diesel buses with new lower-emitting diesel or CNG buses, and to retrofit school buses with particulate traps. As set in Health and Safety Code Section 43023.5 (AB1390, Firebaugh), over 50 percent of these funds have been awarded to school buses operating in disproportionately impacted communities.

In 2004, the AQMD received $495,000 in school bus grant funding for the U.S. EPA. The funds were placed in the AQMD’s Lower-Emission School Bus Fund and comprises of

• $245,000 for replacement of older polluting diesel buses with new CNG buses, and
• $250,000 for retrofit of school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs).

On September 3, 2004, $250,000 was made available for the retrofit of model years 1991-93 school buses owned by public school districts with diesel oxidation catalysts at a maximum of $2,500 per DOC installed. DOCs verified by CARB reduce about 25 percent of particulate emissions from diesel buses. In the first round of funding, five public school districts applied to equip 49 diesel school buses with DOCs. All five school districts were awarded funding, for a total of $122,500. Out of the original $250,000, a balance of $127,500 remained for future DOC awards.

Proposal

At its July 8, 2005 meeting, the Board issued program announcement PA #2006-02 making the remaining $127,500 available for retrofit of school buses with DOCs. As in the first round of funding, for each eligible bus a maximum of $2,500 was provided to cover the purchase, sales tax, and installation of a DOC.

By the closing date of August 18, 2005, five public school districts applied for 37 DOCs for this second round of funding. As listed in Table 1, staff recommends funding of all 37 DOCs for a total of $92,500.

Table 1: List of Recommended Awards for Diesel Oxidation Catalysts

Should the Board approve staff’s recommendation, $35,000 remains available for funding of additional 14 DOCs. Staff recommends that the Board approve to keep open Program Announcement #PA 2006-02, in order to provide continued funding for the retrofit of model years 1991-93 school buses owned by public school districts with CARB verified DOCs on a first-come, first served basis until all the funding is exhausted.

Benefits to AQMD

The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean 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 retrofit of diesel school buses with oxidation catalysts will reduce toxic air pollution from diesel exhaust and will provide cleaner school transportation for school children.

Resource Impacts

In 2004, U.S. EPA granted funds for the retrofit of school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts. These funds were placed in AQMD’s Lower-Emission School Bus Fund, of which $127,500 remains unspent. Total amount of funding for 37 diesel oxidation catalysts shall not exceed $92,500. Sufficient funds are available in the Lower-Emission School Bus Fund.

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