soon learn about how that technology is reducing emissions and thus cleaning up the air they breathe. “We choose propane autogas because not only does it represent significant
reduced fuel costs and clean-burning
properties, but also because the source, natural gas, is in abun- dant supply right here in America,” said William Schofield, Hall County superintendent. District officials said they expect to save $36,000 in fuel costs
for their new propane buses in 2012 alone. Compared to their $3.50 per-gallon rate for diesel, the district is paying less than $2 per gallon to fuel with propane. Hall County’s 220 buses trans- port more than 20,000 students daily. “Schools across the nation are experiencing the environmental
and economic benefits of Blue Bird’s propane buses,” said Phil Horlock, company president and CEO, who was on hand to re- ceive the Extra Mile Award from the Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition at the event “Georgians supporting Georgians for a greener community.”
GOING THE EXTRA MILE In Indiana, TSC officials said they hope to teach students,
parents and administrators the benefits of using alternative, cleaner-burning fuels with their new propane buses. “We live in a farming community, and our neighbors know that propane is safe, reliable and environmentally friendly,” said Kevin
Neafie, transportation director at TSC, the second-largest school district in Indiana. “Te propane-powered Visions reduce emissions and virtually eliminate particulates released into the atmosphere.” To make this purchase, the district worked with Blue Bird dealer
MacAllister Power Systems, propane distributor Ferrellgas and the Energy Department’s Greater Indiana Clean Cities. Funding came from a $52,600 grant from the Indiana Office of Energy Development and donations from local businesses for the fueling infrastructure. David W. Hoffman, transportation director at Humble (Texas)
Independent School District, said grant money was utilized there to pay for 30 alt-fuel buses, plus an 18,000-gallon propane fuel tank and dispensing system. His fleet of 273 includes 27 propane Visions and three Tomas Built buses fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG). “Our move into the world of alternative fuels has been a
five-year process. We are constantly looking for better, smarter, simpler ways to operate our fleet,” Hoffman said, pointing to green policies such as the five-minute-max idle policy and use of ultra-low sulfur diesel. Aside from transportation, Humble ISD has earned kudos for
being ahead of the game environmentally. Atascocita Springs El- ementary (ASE) is the first in Texas and the third in the nation to be verified by the Collaborative for High-Performance Schools for being energy- and resource-efficient. ASE utilizes rainwater collection, solar panels and recycling systems.
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www.customradio.net | 800-659-8093 44 School Transportation News Magazine July 2012
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