west coast collaborative r\ pnii ^ pubic-private partnership to reduce diesel emissions www.westcoastcollaborative.org The West Coast Collaborative is a public-private partnership focused on reducing diesel emissions throughout western North America and the U.S. Pacific Islands. The Collaborative seeks to significantly improve air quality and public health by providing assistance to upgrade high-polluting diesel engines, vehicles and equipment with cost- effective emission control technologies. California Air Resources Board School Bus Replacement 9 V $ Where: California Grantee: California Air Resources Board Replacing: 10 Diesel School Buses Funding: $627,035 U.S. EPA's DERA $442,008 Matched $1,633,500 Cost-share Emission Reductions:* 0.88 tons of PM2.5 11.75 short tons of N0X 2.83 tons of CO 1.21 tons of HC What is the Collaborative? The West Coast Collaborative is a partnership among leaders from federal, tribal, state, and local governments, the private sector and environmental and community groups in EPA Regions 9 and 10. 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 (US EPA) Diesei Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) State grant to replace heavy-duty school buses with zero-emission electric buses. This project will be implemented using $627,035 in DERA grant funding combined with $442,008 in matching funds from CARB, and $1,633,500 in cost-share funds from participating fleets. What is this Project? This project will be implemented through a partnership between CARB, the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD), and participating fleets to replace 10 heavy-duty school buses with all-electric and internal combustion engine alternatives throughout areas of California. Why is this Project Important? Exposure to diesel exhaust is associated with decreased lung function and can also exacerbate the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia, partnering with local school bus owners to replace old, higher emitting diesel school buses with zero-emission battery-electric vehicles. This project reduces human exposure to diesel emissions and therefore negative health effects associated with diesel 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. Who are the project Partners? The project will be led by CARB, a state agency tasked with protecting air quality in the State of California, in partnership with the NCUAQMD and participating school bus fleets. CARB received the DERA grant award through the WCC, will distribute the grant funds to NCUAQMD, which will then distribute funds to participating eligible school bus owners. CARB will be responsible for data monitoring and reporting for the project. *Estimated air emission reductions overthe remaining lifetimes of these engines For more information about this project, contact Esperanza Perez at U.S. EPA (perez.esperanza@epa.gov / 415-972-3261) For more information on the WCC, please visit www.westcoastcollaborative.org ------- |