DEQ Awards Six School Districts with Cleaner Buses to Curb Nitrogen Oxide Emissions

• Moira Davin
• February 01 2022

HELENA—The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has awarded six school districts with clean school bus replacement grants. The grants will help school districts replace older diesel school buses with newer diesel, propane and gasoline models to help reduce air pollution.

“DEQ has funded 39 new buses for school districts across the state in the last two years in an effort to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions,” said Dan Lloyd, DEQ energy bureau chief. “The buses are cleaner and improve air quality resulting in improved health for Montana students.”

DEQ awarded grants to the Columbia Falls, East Helena, Frenchtown, Harlem, Kalispell and Twin Bridges School Districts. The grants will fund a total of nine new buses with Columbia Falls receiving two buses, Kalispell receiving three buses and the rest receiving one each.

“As a school board and community, we are very cost-conscious, and saving taxpayer dollars while reducing emissions is a priority for our school district,” explained Columbia Falls Superintendent Dave Wick. “Not only will there be continued fuel savings, but maintenance costs are lower on the propane buses. The buses run quieter and heat up faster in cold weather.”

Older diesel buses release nitrogen oxides which can lead to asthma and respiratory illnesses, especially in children and older adults who are known to be at increased risk. DEQ’s Clean School Bus Replacement program aims to reduce kids’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust from old diesel buses across the state.

“Harlem Schools put a lot of miles on our buses, so when an opportunity came to get assistance in replacing one of our vehicles, we took advantage. We appreciate the support we received to purchase a new vehicle, especially one that will be more efficient and environmentally friendly,” said Harlem Public Schools Superintendent, Arlene Bigby.