Georgia School Bus Retrofit Program Cleaning Up Harmful Diesel Exhaust in Georgia Athens, GA
Topics 1) Introduction 2) Participating Schools 3) Current Funding for Projects 4) Expanding the Retrofit Program
Introduction to the Georgia School Bus Retrofit Program Everyday, more than one million children board Georgia s 15,260 school buses traveling to and from school. Georgia School Bus Retrofit Program Originally, Named the Georgia Adopt-A-School Bus Program in 2003 Currently, referred to as the Georgia Retrofit Program Designed to help school systems in Georgia to reduce to the maximum extent possible the emissions from their school bus fleets Establish partnerships between school systems, community businesses, corporations, and civic organizations with the common goal of protecting the health and well being of children in their communities.
What is the Georgia School Bus Retrofit Program Voluntary Program To equip school buses with emission control devices to reduce Particulate Matter (smoke) Diesel Particulate Filters Diesel Oxidation Catalysts Partial Flow Through Filters Crank Case Filters To reduce idling through the implementation of unnecessary idling reduction polices To use cleaner fuels such as ULSD and biodiesel In the near future Early replacement of school buses Purchase of hybrid electric buses Goal: To retrofit all of the eligible buses in Georgia
Participating Schools Atlanta Public Schools: 361 Buses Banks County Schools: 35 Buses (in Progress) Barrow County Schools: 98 Buses (in Progress) Bartow County Schools: 27 Buses Bibb County Schools: 10 Buses Burke County Schools: 44 Buses (24 in Progress) Carroll County Schools: 97 Buses (in Progress) Cherokee County Schools: 67 Buses (in Progress) Clarke County Schools: 68 Buses Clayton County Schools: 161 Buses Coweta County Schools: 113 Buses (71 in Progress) DeKalb County Schools: 211 Buses (178 in Progress) Floyd County Schools: 25 Buses Henry County Schools: 180 Buses Houston County Schools: 16 Buses (12 in Progress) Jackson County Schools: 52 Buses (27 in Progress) Marietta City Schools: 28 Buses Monroe County Schools: 4 Buses Muscogee County Schools: 72 Buses (38 in Progress) Newton County Schools: 113 Buses (12 in Progress) Richmond County Schools: 42 Buses (23 in Progress)
Funding Sources EPA Clean School Bus USA Georgia has received three awards: 2004, 2005 and 2006 These funds have retrofitted 133 buses and helped supply ULSD and Biodiesel Participating school systems were Clayton, Coweta, Bibb, Houston, Monroe and Clarke Counties. Toyota SEP Henry, Newton, and City of Marietta received these funds. 236 Buses were retrofitted with DPFs
Funding Sources Georgia Pacific SEP Total funding of approx. $3.6 million Projects Atlanta Public Schools (361 Buses) Bartow County Schools (27 buses) Clayton County Schools (76 buses) DeKalb County Schools (33 buses) Floyd County Schools (25 buses) Muscogee County Schools (34 buses) Burke County Schools (20 buses) Coweta County Schools (16 buses) Henry County Schools (72 buses) Jackson County Schools (25 buses) Richmond County Schools (19 buses) For a Total of 708 Buses Retrofitted
Funding Sources CMAQ Funding Can only be spent in non-attainment areas The 2005 CMAQ Retrofit grant is approximately $2 Million and requires a 20% match. This grant was awarded to Barrow County (98 buses) Carroll County (97 buses) Coweta County (71 buses) DeKalb County (178 buses) Newton County (12 buses) Approximately 456 buses will be retrofit by December 2010.
Funding Sources DERA 2008 Funds State has received $251,022 to retrofit buses Projects were awarded to Burke and Richmond County Schools to retrofit a total of 47 buses. ARRA DERA 2009 State has received $1.73 Million Dollars to retrofit school buses Projects have been awarded to Banks County (35 buses) Cherokee County (67 buses) Houston County (12 buses) Jackson County (27 buses) Muscogee County (38 buses) Approximately 179 buses will be retrofit by September 2010
Accomplishments School Buses that have been retrofitted or are under agreements to retrofit Diesel Particulate Filters Partial Flow Filters Diesel Oxidation Catalysts Crank-Case Filters 814 421 527 744 Total Number of Buses Retrofit 1,824
Expanding the Retrofit Program CMAQ Funding for fiscal years 2009 2012 for School Bus Retrofits FY 2009 $5.4 million No match FY 2010 $2.0 million 20% match FY 2011 $2.0 million 20% match FY 2012 $1.8 million 20% match
CMAQ Funding Projects must be based in 24 county PM2.5 nonattainment area FY 2009 Target to retrofit school buses Expect to request applications in June 2010 FY 2010 2012 Target emission reductions from school buses Early replacement or retrofits
Expanding the Retrofit Program FY 2009 DERA Funding $300,000 to retrofit school buses Priorities for school systems located in counties: Adjacent to counties designated as not attaining the PM 2.5 Standard Adjacent to counties where monitors indicate the PM 2.5 standard is being exceeded Attaining the PM 2.5 Standard Expect to receive agreement from EPA in March 2010 Expect to issue request for applications in June 2010 DERA funding expected to be available through FY 2011 (2012 for full five years)
Expanding the Retrofit Program Retrofit Projects Funded Through ARRA and CMAQ Georgia Dept. of Transportation City of Atlanta City of Macon City of Oakwood Hall County DeKalb County Fayette County Clarke County Washington County University of Georgia
Expanding the Retrofit Program Focus on other public fleets Nonroad Engines Placing applications for funding Focus on construction equipment and other nonroad equipment that yield high emission reductions at low costs Other initiatives Gensets for locomotives: Contacts are Michelle Bergin and Jim Kelly at EPD Idle Reduction Implementation of Policies and Ordinances Truck Stop Electrification
What Makes A Successful Retrofit Program Research into emissions control equipment or other retrofit options to determine what is a best fit for your fleet Information from GA EPD, U.S. EPA, and your local distributors Knowledge of what is needed to maintain the chosen retrofit equipment Specific information on maintenance schedules and any filters or other parts should be obtained from your distributor Datalogging, as necessary, of a broad sample of your fleet to make sure that the equipment requirements are met Keeping vehicles on the same or similar routes when using certain emission control devices Educating drivers on what changes to expect and how to monitor devices such as backpressure displays Communication: if you don t know or are confused, ASK QUESTIONS. Call the equipment distributor Be a champion Positive attitudes are paramount!
Summary Retrofit Programs Can Be Very Successful More Funding Opportunities Available For School Systems Apply for Funding Opportunities From EPA and other sources Employ Low or No Cost Options Use cleaner fuels such as ULSD or Biodiesel Reduce or eliminate idling Employ Best Management Practices Contact EPD if you are interested in starting a diesel emission reduction program
Additional Information Engines and Fuels Unit: 404-363-7028 Staff Stacy Allman: stacy.allman@dnr.state.ga.us Richard McDonald: richard.mcdonald@dnr.state.ga.us William Cook: william.cook@dnr.state.ga.us Website: www.gaepd.org www.georgiaair.org/retrofit