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School Transportation News Magazine is published by STN Media Group
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Publisher Tony Corpin
Editor Ryan Gray
Associate Editor, Digital Claudia Newton
Assistant Editor Nathan Tuvalu
Robert T. Pudlewski’s February “Tought Leader” piece on the option of al-
ternative or and diesel fuel, which suggested that many of the propane industry’s claims center on comparing the alternative fuel with older diesel school buses rather than newer clean diesel options, drew the ire of several readers. Blue Bird President and CEO Phil Horlock and ROUSH CleanTech President Todd A. Mouw said the article reflected cost inaccuracies and conjecture about emission reduction initiatives:
Mr. Pudlewski compares the retail price of propane autogas rather than the actual wholesale-based price that virtually all school districts and private school bus contractors negotiate in fuel contracts. Trough that corrected lens, propane autogas is averaging $1.26 per gallon (as of March), with some school districts buying propane at prices as low as $0.78 cents per gallon, compared to $3.09 for diesel. It is correct that diesel fuel economy is better than propane, but this in no way offsets the substantial price differential per gallon of fuel.
Te author also states, “So you need to be cautious when someone de-
velops lifecycle costs based on including temporary grant and tax incentive packages.” So, what about grants and tax incentive packages? We certainly do not view these as temporary. Tey have been available for many years and there is no evidence whatsoever that they will come to an end anytime soon. In fact, the federal government recently extended two tax credits retroactively that benefit propane autogas fleets, Te Alternative Fuel Excise Credit and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit. Tese only add to even greater savings. — Phil Horlock, President & CEO Blue Bird Corporation
“Te article contained speculation about propane autogas buses that are
moot. Emission reductions initiatives have been in place for many years and for good reason—for the health of our environment, our communities and our citizens. Today’s diesel engines must certify to the same federal standards that all fuels are measured against. Te major difference is that today’s diesel is clean by complication and propane is clean by composition. For example, diesel gets to today’s U.S. EPA certification requirement of 0.2 nitrogen oxide through expensive after-treatment programs. Propane surpasses that at 0.05 because it’s naturally cleaner. More than 14,000 propane school buses are on U.S. roads because they are clean, economical and reliable, particular- ly in cold weather.” — Todd A. Mouw, President ROUSH CleanTech
10 School Transportation News • APRIL 2018
The views and opinions in School Transportation News are those of the editorial staff. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the members of the Editorial Advisory Board or their organizations. Individuals serving on the board are advisors only and are not responsible for the editorial content.
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Technical Editor Robert T. Pudlewski
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CONTRIBUTORS: Linda Bluth, John Whelan, Ned Einstein, Art Gissendaner, Julie Metea, Eric Woolson, Barb Fasing, Debbie Curtis, James Romeo
Vice President Colette Paul
Ad Sales Tony Corpin
Circulation Andrea Dugmore
Events Manager Sylvia Arroyo
Events Coordinator Alice Hung Sabedra
Chairman of the Board Bill Paul, STN Media Group
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD:
Tim Ammon, TransPar Group of Companies Marshall Casey, Consultant Denny Coughlin, Consultant Launi Harden, Washington County (UT) School District Pete Meslin, TransPar Group of Companies Alexandra Robinson, New York City DOE Michael Shields, Salem- Kaiser (OR) Public Schools
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