Indiana Schools Receive Grants For Propane Bus Purchases

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The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) Nov. 5 said seven state public school corporations will receive $275,430 from its 2015 Indiana Propane School Bus grant program. The grants are the first from OED for propane-fueled school buses. The agency notes that participating schools will benefit from propane school buses in a variety of ways, including decreasing children’s exposure to particulate matter, lowering maintenance costs through the use of a cleaner-burning fuel, and increasing fuel diversity.

Grant recipients will track their miles driven, fuel usage, and cost savings for one year after the buses are put in use. The data will help recipients and their communities better understand fueling options. Winning school corporations include Avon Community School Corp., DeKalb County Central United School District, Metropolitan School District of Warren Township, Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, North Spencer County School Corp., Tippecanoe School Corp., and Warrick County School Corp.

“Improved engine technologies have made propane a low-cost option for Indiana’s school bus fleet,” said OED director Tristan Vance. “At OED, we believe that propane is a promising alternative fuel for school buses because it is widely available, even in rural areas, and traditionally costs less than diesel or gasoline.”

Indiana Propane School Bus grant projects must involve the purchase of at least two new propane school buses. The winning schools must have access to propane fueling infrastructure or show that they will have access if they are awarded a grant. OED expects participants to demonstrate their need for grants and how the project will benefit the applicant’s school corporation. Quarterly reports, including expenditures and fuel savings, will be due starting January 2016 and will extend one year.

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