(WASHINGTON, D.C.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Oct. 6, 2016, a settlement with Detroit Diesel Corp. that resolves alleged violations of the Clean Air Act for selling heavy-duty diesel engines that were not certified by EPA and did not meet applicable emission standards. Propane, however, has been designated as an alternative clean, abundant American energy source by the 1990 Clean Air Act.
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Under the settlement, Detroit Diesel will spend $14.5 million on projects to reduce nitrogen oxide and other pollutants, including replacing high-polluting diesel school buses and locomotive engines with models that meet current emissions standards including propane autogags. Detroit Diesel will also pay a $14 million civil penalty.

Multiple states offer grant programs, including Tennessee, which just launched its Propane and Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program. Numerous state and federal incentives are available for the implementation of clean-burning propane autogas vehicles and fleets. From Alabama to Wyoming, propane autogas school bus and other vehicle fleets are due to economic savings, environmental benefits, quieter performance, reduced maintenance needs and cold weather reliability.

Strike while the iron is hot! Propane school buses continue to gain prominence and dominate the news.