November 5, 2008
New Clean-Technology School Buses for SD #5

EAST KOOTENAY – School District 5 will receive $356,300 for the purchase of three new clean-diesel school buses as part of a $10.4 million investment by the Province.

“These three new, clean energy buses are a great addition to our district,” says East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett. “This investment will not only protect the health of our students but also demonstrates our government’s commitment to ensuring better air quality for all our residents.”

The Southeast Kootenay School District will receive funding for two 84-passenger buses and one 24-passenger bus.

The Government has invested $10.4 million for 86 new buses across the Province.  These new buses reduce exhaust particulate emissions by 90 per cent compared to the previous 1994 standard.  Clean-diesel buses also produce 30 to 60 per cent better mileage than gasoline-fuelled buses and provide longer service. 

Existing diesel buses are being made cleaner by retrofitting them with diesel oxidization catalytic converters.  This is part of an aggressive strategy to improve air quality for students and the communities they live in.  Three districts, Howe Sound, the Gulf Islands and Saanich, are currently piloting biodiesel in their new clean-diesel buses. 

In order to qualify for replacement, a bus needs to be on a regular route to school, and have met or exceeded the following criteria regarding age and kilometres:

78-84 Passenger 15 years and 400,000 km

24-72 Passenger 12 years and 325,000 km

Minibus 10 years and 250,000 km

All B.C. public sector organizations are required to publicly report on their emissions levels, on the actions they have taken to reduce these levels, and their plans to minimize emissions.  As part of government’s commitment to reduce B.C.’s carbon footprint, all new and upgraded schools will be built to LEED Gold energy and environmental standards. The Province is also developing new curriculum and providing resources, such as eco kits for schools and an interdisciplinary Environmental Learning Guide for teachers to help educators teach students about climate change and environmental sustainability.

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