The goal of the West Coast Collaborative is to leverage federal funds to strategically reduce emissions from the most polluting diesel sources in
impacted communities. The Collaborative seeks to improve air quality and public health by targeting the highest polluting engines with the most cost
effective control strategies.
DERA 2014: Reducing
School Bus Emissions in
California
The West Coast Collaborative (WCC) is pleased to
announce the California Air Resources Board's (CARB's)
receipt of a United States Environmental Protection
Agency (U.S. EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction Act
(DERA) State Clean Diesel Program grant to retrofit
heavy-duty diesel school buses. This project will be
implemented using $249,792 in DERA grant funding
combined with $170,208 in CARB matching funds.
What is the Project?
This project will be implemented through a partnership
between CARB, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control
District (SJVAPCD) and participating fleets to install Diesel
Particulate Filter (DPF) retrofits on 20 heavy-duty school buses
operating throughout California.
Why is this project important?
This project's primary objective is to improve the environmental
health of children by partnering with local school bus owners to
install diesel exhaust retrofits on eligible buses, Exposure to
diesel exhaust has been associated with decreased lung
function and retarded lung development and can also
exacerbate the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and
pneumonia. This project will reduce children's exposure to
diesel emissions as well as the negative health effects
associated with exposure, Expected unquantifiable benefits of
the project include increased awareness of the need to
improve air quality, particularly among parents, school officials
and others concerned with child health and welfare.
What are the Environmental Benefits?
Over the remaining lifetime of the 20 affected engines, these
upgrades are estimated to reduce emissions of fine particulate
matter (PM2.5) by 1,9 tons, hydrocarbons (HC) by 3,2 tons,
and carbon monoxide (CO) by 21 tons. Additionally, the
reduction of PM2.5 emissions will also reduce black carbon
(BC), which influences climate by directly absorbing light,
reducing the reflectivity ("albedo") of snow and ice through
deposition, and interacting with clouds.
Who are the Partners on this project?
The project will be led by CARB, a state agency tasked
with protecting air quality in the State of California, in
partnership with the SJVAPCD and participating school bus
fleets. CARB received the DERA grant award through the
WCC, will distribute the grant funds to SJVAPCD, which will
then distribute funds to participating eligible school bus
owners, CARB will be responsible for data monitoring and
reporting for the project.
What is the Collaborative?
The WCC is an ambitious partnership between leaders from
federal, state, local, and tribal government, the private sector,
and environmental groups committed to reducing diesel
emissions along the West Coast. Partners come from all over
Western North America, including: Alaska, Arizona, California,
Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, the Pacific
Islands, Canada and Mexico. The WCC is part of the U,S, EPA
National Clean Diesel Campaign (www.epa.gov/cleandiesel).
How can I find out more Information?
For more information on this project, please contact John
Mikulin at U.S. EPA (mikulin,iohn@epa.gov / 415-972-3956),
For more information on the WCC, please visit our website,
www.westcoastcollaborative.org

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