All 122 of Eugene 4J District’s older diesel school buses have been replaced with new low-emission models.
The Clean Diesel Engine Fund comes out of a financial settlement with Volkswagen over misleading information about their diesel emissions. Oregon is receiving 72.9 million dollars of the 3 billion dollars spread across the states.
Gerick Kransky, program analyst with the Department of Environmental Quality, says the biggest concern with diesel exhaust is fine particulate matter.
“The newer buses essentially have what’s called a diesel particulate filter and they reduce the particulate emissions by up to 95%,” says Kransky.
Chris Ellison, director of 4J transportation, adds that these new buses also enhance the safety of students with features like electronic stability control and antilock brakes.
The DEQ plans to replace at least 450 buses across Oregon.
