Texas Schools Discover How Going Green Can Save Big
This week, the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) attended the Texas Association of Pupil Transportation (TAPT) Expo & Conference at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX for a chance to connect with 750 school transportation officials and educate them on the growing popularity of propane-powered school buses.
Schools across the nation are turning to cleaner propane autogas to power their buses. 840 school districts in 48 states, including Texas have upgraded to greener propane school buses. There are over 15,000 propane-powered school buses on our nation’s roads transporting nearly 1 million students daily. Texas is leading the charge and has more propane school buses than any other state with 2,870 buses and growing.
What makes propane buses so popular? New low NOx propane school buses produce significantly fewer emissions than modern diesel buses and are up to 75 percent cleaner than the current emissions standard.
Plus, there is usually a high price tag with going green, but that isn’t necessarily the case with propane. With lower fuel costs, reduced maintenance expenses and the shrinking cost of propane school buses, school districts do not have much to worry about high investments to go green.
School districts operating propane school buses are saving up to 50% on fuel costs when compared to diesel. Propane does not just cost less at the pump for school districts, but propane school buses have significantly less maintenance than a new clean diesel school bus, which equates to fewer expenses to the district. Propane school buses make sense for budget savvy transportation departments who are looking to save their school district some money.
In addition to reduced fuel and maintenance expenses, the incremental cost of a new diesel school bus and new propane school bus is shrinking. To help school districts with the small upgrade cost, there are many alternative fuel grants available from a multitude of sources from the state and sometimes nationally.
“There is some funding out there for school districts in Texas. It can be tough for school districts to keep track of all the alternative fuel grants that may be available to them. That’s where the Propane Council of Texas comes in,” states Jackie Mason, education & marketing director for the Propane Council of Texas. “We are a non-profit. We are here to help districts whether it is providing general education on propane school buses or help to find funding for propane buses.”
To find out more about propane-powered school buses and to contact the Council, visit FuelingTexas.com.
About the Propane Council of Texas
The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 dedicated to educating the public and the propane industry on safety and on the newest clean-burning propane technologies. ProCOT is the state entity that represents the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), which was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA) of 1996.
The Propane Council of Texas Touts Benefits of Propane School Buses During Earth Week
Propane Helps Schools & Communities Reduce Their Carbon Footprint
In honor of Earth Week, the Propane Council of Texas would like to highlight the environmental benefits of clean-burning propane school buses for a way school districts can lower their emissions and help create greener schools and communities.
There are over 26 million propane-powered vehicles worldwide with over 14,000 propane-powered school buses operated by more than 830 school districts transporting over 850,000 students a day across America. 2,870 of those propane school buses are greening Texas.
Propane is cleaner-burning, non-toxic, and does not contaminate groundwater or soil. With cleaner-burning propane school buses, students are exposed to reduced emissions like greenhouse gas, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide (NOx), sulfur oxide, and particulate matter.
“The Propane Council of Texas hopes that number will grow as more school districts realize the health benefits of lower emitting propane school buses to their students and transportation personnel,” states Jackie Mason of the Propane Council of Texas.
A new modern, best in class propane-powered school bus is more earth-friendly and can reduce NOx by 75% compared to a new “clean” diesel school bus. According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, NOx has now become the largest ozone-depleting substance created by human activities. NOx also contributes to ground-level ozone and can aggravate asthma and other breathing related issues. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ground-level ozone can also have harmful effects on vegetation and ecosystems.
The new Low NOx propane school buses are helping schools contributing to cleaner air for school children and reducing their carbon footprint.
To learn more about more about the advantages of propane autogas, please visit the Propane Council of Texas’ dedicated autogas website, https://www.fuelingtexas.com.
About the Propane Council of Texas
The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 dedicated to educating the public on clean-burning propane. ProCOT is the state entity that represents the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), which was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA) of 1996.
Propane Council of Texas Touts Opportunities for Cleaner Air with the State’s Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program
Propane is eligible under the newly expanded grant program
This month, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) announced a grand round of $15.4M for their newly expanded Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program (TNGVGP). The grant program funds the replacement older diesel or gasoline medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles with CNG, LNG and now LPG (propane) vehicles operating in the Clean Transportation Zone, an 83 county area of Texas.
Propane was added to Texas Senate Bill 1731 in the 85th Legislative session since it is Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) and is too homegrown, found right here in Texas.
“The Propane Council of Texas is excited to educate fleets on this new opportunity to add clean-burning propane vehicles on Texas roads,” says Jackie Mason, Education & Marketing Director for the Council.
Propane is a great option for fleets, because it is economical, domestically-produced, widely available fuel, and contributes to cleaner air. The propane industry has engineered a multitude of platforms that are eligible for the program from medium-duty trucks to school buses that government and business fleets as well as school districts who can upgrade, too.
Funding under the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program varies dependent on the model year of the vehicle, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and fuel type of the vehicle, the entity is replacing. Click here to download the guidelines.
For more information or to contact the Propane Council of Texas, email info@propanecounciloftexas.org
About the Propane Council of Texas
The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is a 501 (c) 3 and the state arm of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Our objective is consumer education, highlighting the benefits of home-grown propane and promoting clean-burning propane technologies.
Propane Council of Texas Announces Funding Opportunity for Cleaner Burning Propane School Buses
State program provides school districts money to replace aging buses
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) just announced $6.2M funding under their newly expanded Clean School Bus Program. The Clean School Bus Program open now will provide grants to public and charter schools as well as school transportation companies statewide to install exhaust retrofits as well as replace older diesel school buses with new school buses. One of those options includes replacement of older buses with cleaner-burning propane autogas school buses.
The Propane Council of Texas is excited about a new opportunity to put cleaner school buses on Texas roads. According to the EPA, diesel exhaust is exceptionally harmful to children because their lungs are not fully developed. Not only that, but these older diesel buses produce higher amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to smog, ground level ozone and is associated with adverse health effects. Cleaner-burning propane school buses are available from top school bus manufacturers.
“Texas is home to over 26,000 pre-2007 diesel school buses. If school districts would replace all the pre-2007 school buses, Texas could reduce (NOx) by 7.5M pounds a year,” states Propane Council of Texas Executive Director, Bill Van Hoy.
School districts can replace a pre-2007 school bus with propane school bus and get between $36,500 -$52,500 dependent on the passenger capacity. Funding is first come, first serve with a limit of funding 5 school buses per district.
The Clean School Bus Grant guidelines and application can be found on the TCEQ website at www.terpgrants.org.
School districts interested to switch to propane school can contact the Propane Council of Texas for information at info@propanecounciloftexas.org or calling (800)325-7427.
About the Propane Council of Texas The Propane Council of Texas is (ProCOT) is a 501 (c) 3 educational and marketing foundation. Our objective is consumer education, highlighting the benefits of home-grown propane and promoting clean-burning propane technologies like propane school buses.
Propane Council of Texas Touts Why Schools Are Switching to Cleaner-Burning Propane School Buses
Propane autogas creating greener schools & healthier budgets
School districts across the country and Texas are turning to cleaner-burning propane autogas school buses. 830 school districts and contractors in 47 states, including Texas have upgraded to greener propane school buses. There are over 14,000 propane-powered school buses on our nation’s roads transporting 850,000 students daily, 2,870 of the school buses are in Texas.
School districts are making the switch, because propane school buses have lower harmful emissions, which can increase breathing-related issues and worsen asthma in children exposed to higher emitting diesel buses.
By replacing older than model year pre-2007 diesel buses with new propane autogas school buses, a school district can slash NOx by 96%. Even with the new clean diesel buses, school bus operators can reduce NOx emissions by 75% by upgrading to the new Low NOx propane school bus.
If Texas school districts replaced the state’s 21,964 pre-2007 diesel buses with new propane autogas school buses, the state could reduce 7.5 million pounds of NOx emissions per year.
“Propane autogas is a smart choice for Texas schools,” said Bill Van Hoy, Executive Director for the Propane Council of Texas. “Not only does propane lower harmful emissions, but it reduces operating costs and has a proven safety record across the nation and in Texas.”
For many school districts across the state, running propane-powered school buses on cleaner-burning autogas is a great way to help build greener schools and healthier budgets.
For more information, please visit http://www.propaneschoolbuses.com or follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fuelingtexas.
About the Propane Council of Texas
The Propane Council of Texas is (ProCOT) is a 501 (c) 3 educational and marketing foundation. Our objective is consumer education, highlighting the benefits of home-grown propane and promoting clean-burning propane technologies like propane school buses.
IC Bus launches Propane School Bus Grant Program. $5,000 per bus.
The IC Bus Grant Program will offer qualifying school districts throughout the United States and Canada $5,000 in grants per newly purchased propane-powered CE Series school buses. This grant gives those school districts that would like or are planning to make the switch to propane more flexibility in their purchase decision. The grant can be used towards items such as buying additional buses, investing in new technology, hiring additional drivers, infrastructure updates to maintenance facilities, among other uses that the school district prioritizes.
“With today’s advanced propane-powered buses offering an added dimension of environmental benefit, IC Bus is committed to doing what’s right for our customers and for the environment, to create a better world by creating better buses,” said Trish Reed, vice president and general manager, IC Bus. “School districts frequently stress to us their desire to pursue environmentally friendly fuel choices. The IC Bus Grant Program reaffirms our commitment to continue developing affordable, reliable, safe and environmentally beneficial school bus options.”
The IC Bus® CE Series school bus powered by the Power Solutions International (PSI) 8.8-liter LP propane engine is purpose-built for the school bus industry. The CE Series with PSI propane engine is designed to provide diesel-like performance with higher torque at lower engine speeds, while lowering emissions and reducing maintenance costs.
For complete IC Bus Grant Program rules, contact your IC Bus dealer or visit http://www.icbus.com.
About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.
Propane Council of Texas Takes Part in World’s Biggest Earth Day Celebration
The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is proud to represent our national Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) at the Earth Day Texas and National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, in which PERC is a major sponsor. Odyssey Day is the largest, nationwide event dedicated to promoting the use of and educating people about alternative fuel vehicles and Earth Day Texas is the world’s largest Earth Day celebration.
The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), Earth Day Texas, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities, a U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities coalition joined forces to bring the two events together for one long weekend at Fair Park in Dallas to bring awareness to alternative fuel vehicles and clear air initiatives.
The event kicks off this Thursday, April 19 with National Odyssey Day and an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Summit. Friday, April 21, 2017 – Sunday, April 23, 2017 marks the Earth Texas Day event where over 150,000 people from the DFW metroplex are expected. Several cleaner-burning propane-powered vehicles (including a school bus, delivery vehicle, pick-up trucks, and SUV) will be featured in the AFV Pavilion located right next to Cotton Bowl Plaza.
“The event will give us a chance to show the public that propane goes beyond the grill,” said Jackie Mason, Education & Marketing Director for the Propane Council of Texas, “That propane autogas is a lower-emitting option in school transportation and for fleets in their communities.”
Propane autogas has been a proven motor fuel since 1913 and is the most commonly used alternative fuel in the world. There are 25 million propane vehicles worldwide, over 200,000 in United States, and nearly 7,000 in Texas. The Lone Star State also hosts 2,600 cleaner-burning propane school buses. In the U.S., there are over 12,500 propane school buses operated by over 700 school districts transporting over ½ a million students each school day.
About Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is a check-off program established, operated, and funded by the propane industry. PERC implements safety and training programs, conducts research, and invests in technology development with leading equipment manufacturers to expand adoption of propane as a clean, American-made energy source.About the Propane Council of Texas
The Propane Council of Texas is (ProCOT) is a 501 (c) 3 and the state arm of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Our objective is consumer education, highlighting the benefits of home-grown propane and promoting clean-burning propane technologies.
Anniversary Celebration in Austin Marks ‘Texas Propane School Bus Week’
Event commemorates 10th anniversary of meeting to make propane autogas a viable fuel for school transportation departments in Texas
State Representative, Tony Dale; Texas Commissioner of Education, Michael Williams; and the President & CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council, Roy Willis.
AUSTIN, Texas (Dec. 2, 2015) — A celebration commemorating a decade of propane school buses was held on December 1, 2015 at the Texas Education Agency in Austin to coincide with Texas Propane School Bus Week.
The event was sponsored by the Propane Council of Texas in conjunction with the Propane Education & Research Council and hosted by Texas Commissioner of Education Michael Williams. Remarks from Williams and state Rep. Tony Dale highlighted the event.
Citing the vital role propane autogas plays in powering thousands of school buses in school districts across the state, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has proclaimed the week of Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 as Texas Propane School Bus Week.
The Texas House of Representatives, led by Dale, has issued a resolution celebrating the 10th anniversary of a group that met in Austin to discuss the concept and development of the first factory-built propane bus, expanding the choices for school districts interested in cleaner-burning bus options. Founders of the group were honored at today’s event.
“The state of Texas has accomplished a significant feat in the last 10 years in bringing clean and affordable fuel to so many school districts,” said Curtis Donaldson, president of CleanFuel USA and initial meeting attendee. “It’s a testament to the hard work of many people that, with a little ingenuity, we could bring a better alternative fuel option to school transportation throughout this state — and beyond.”
Since that first meeting in 2005, all three major school bus manufacturers now offer propane-autogas-powered buses. According to the Texas Railroad Commission, more than 2,600 propane-autogas-powered buses are currently in operation in school districts across the state.
More than 400 school districts throughout the United States are operating more than 7,000 propane autogas school buses on a daily basis. In all, more than half a million children ride propane autogas school buses to and from school.
“More and more school districts across the country are facing tighter transportation budgets and they must use their resources more wisely,” said Roy Willis, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council. “Propane autogas school buses help districts lower their fuel budgets, but the benefits don’t stop there. Propane school buses improve passenger safety and reduce harmful emissions compared with their diesel bus counterparts, too.”
Many school districts report saving as much as one to two dollars per gallon with propane, and propane-autogas-powered buses require less maintenance over the lifetime of the vehicle, saving additional money on upkeep. These cost savings free up transportation budgets and give schools the option of reinvesting that money back into where it matters most: the classroom.
Propane autogas buses keep passengers safe by eliminating harmful carcinogens found in the exhaust from older diesel school buses. They’re also quieter than diesel buses, allowing drivers to hear better when picking up and dropping students off.
For more information on propane school buses, visit www.betterourbuses.com.
About PERC: The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in the research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit propane.com.
About ProCOT
The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 dedicated to educating the public and the propane industry on safety and on the newest clean-burning propane technologies. ProCOT is the state entity that represents the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), which was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA) of 1996. To find out more about propane autogas, visit www.fuelingtexas.com.
Propane Council of Texas: Greening the Landscape Industry
The Propane Council of Texas, a non-profit dedicated to educating the public on cleaner-burning propane hopes to help green the landscape community. This past week, August 13-15, 2015 in Dallas, the Council attended the Nursery/Landscape Expo hosted by the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association in effort to tout the benefits of greener options for landscapers.
The EPA estimates that 17 million gallons of gasoline are spilled each year refueling lawn equipment. Propane eliminates this threat to the environment, because it doesn’t contaminate groundwater or soil. Plus, it has a closed refueling system.
Additionally, propane commercial mowers produce less carbon and fewer greenhouse-gas emissions.
“Landscapers do not have to worry about lost labor hours due to mowing restrictions on Ozone Action Days, because propane mowers have lower emissions than traditional gasoline mowers,” says Jackie Mason, Education & Marketing Director for the Propane Council of Texas.
Landscapers also now have a vast amount of mowers to choose from that can be powered with propane. There are more than 17 manufacturers and 135 propane commercial mower models available either straight from the factory or through conversion.
“Propane Council of Texas also makes it easier for landscapers to make the switch by offering the incentives,” says Mason.
The program, which began in 2010, currently gives up $1,000 per propane commercial mower, up to 5 mowers.
For more information, propane mowers and the Council’s incentive programs, visit https://www.fuelingtexas.com.
About the Propane Council of Texas
The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 dedicated to educating the public and the propane industry on safety and on the newest clean-burning propane technologies. ProCOT is the state entity that represents the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), which was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA) of 1996.
Propane Autogas Creating Greener School Districts & Healthier Budgets
DALLAS — School transportation directors from all over Texas converged on Dallas for the Texas Association of Pupil Transportation (TAPT) Conference at the Hilton Anatole this weekend. The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) was on hand to educate transportation officials on propane cutting-edge technology to help districts lower school bus emissions.
Propane school buses reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, produce fewer smog-forming hydrocarbon emissions, and do not expose children to harmful particulate matter found in diesel exhaust. Particulate matter can increase breathing-related issues and worsen asthma.
“Propane autogas is a smart choice for Texas schools,” said Jackie Mason, Educational & Marketing Director for the Propane Council of Texas. “Not only does propane lower harmful emissions, but it reduces fuel costs and has a proven safety record in Texas.”
Even with the low cost of motor fuel, propane autogas still offers very significant savings over diesel for school districts looking to make the switch, and it’s found right here in our own backyard. Texas produces nearly half the nation’s propane and the U.S. is a net exporter of the domestic, cleaner-burning fuel.
“School districts have options. Top school bus manufacturers have responded to requests for greener buses, and they now produce propane buses, including Blue Bird, Collins Bus Corporation, Thomas Built Bus, and IC Bus,” says Mason.
There are nearly 2,500 school buses powered by propane operating in Texas. Over 70 school districts, including Arlington ISD, Conroe ISD, Houston ISD, and Eanes ISD in Austin are using propane alternative fuel buses. Dallas County Schools and Northside ISD in San Antonio host the largest propane powered school bus fleets in Texas.
For many school districts across the state, running propane-powered school buses and other vehicles on cleaner-burning autogas is a great way to help build greener schools and healthier budgets.
About the Propane Council of Texas
The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 dedicated to educating the public and the propane industry on safety and on the newest clean-burning propane technologies. ProCOT is the state entity that represents the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), which was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA) of 1996. To find out more about propane autogas, visit FuelingTexas.com.
