Propane Council Recognizes Friendswood ISD for Using Clean-Burning Autogas
Donation recognizes Friendswood ISD for improving student health and safety with a propane-powered bus fleet
The Propane Education & Research Council donated $2,500 to Friendswood Junior High School Wednesday in recognition of its effort to improve students’ health and safety by adopting a propane-powered bus fleet. The donation is part of the commodity checkoff program’s new campaign to educate consumers about the benefits of transitioning away from diesel and other dirty fuels.
“Diesel has long been the standard in school transportation, but for districts that want to reduce harmful emissions, save money, and create a safer, healthier ride, propane is an excellent alternative,” said Roy Willis, PERC president and CEO.
In 2012, Friendswood Junior High began transitioning their bus fleet to the alternative fuel. Today, 12 of its 50 buses run on propane, with three more on order. Transportation Director Mike Jones said he’s pushing for an all propane fleet. For Friendswood, “it’s a complete win-win,” Jones said.
“The fuel is cheaper, the infrastructure is simpler and it’s cleaner for the environment,” said Jones. “The new diesel models come with the aftertreatment systems on the exhaust,” he said. “We don’t have to worry about any of that with the propane.”
According to PERC, aside from serious cost-saving benefits, propane buses run quieter than diesel, allowing drivers to better monitor passengers’ activity. They also reduce exposure to diesel exhaust, which the World Health Organization classifies as a carcinogen.
Recognizing these benefits, schools across 45 states — a total of more than 7,000 buses — have transitioned to propane. Twenty of the top 25 designated market areas and four of the 10 largest school districts in the country are now using them. The trend prompted PERC to launch an awareness campaign early this fall to teach communities about the benefits of propane-powered transportation. The Council has partnered with journalist and former teacher Jenna Bush Hager and the nonprofit Adopt a Classroom to donate more than $30,000 nationwide to teachers at schools adopting propane buses.
“It’s clear when you talk to school administrators and transportation departments that they are saving more than just dollars and cents by going with propane buses,” said Hager. “The switch is improving their school as a whole and giving them the opportunity to invest in more teachers or school programs.”
For more information on propane school buses, including bus safety tips for parents and kids courtesy of the National Association of Pupil Transportation, visit BetterOurBuses.com. To donate to teachers in your local community, visit AdoptAClassroom.org
About PERC: The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit established, operated, and funded by the propane industry. PERC leads safety and training efforts and drives technology development to expand the adoption of propane as a clean, domestic, and affordable energy source. PERC programs benefit a variety of markets including transportation, agriculture, landscaping, residential, and commercial. For more information about propane-powered technologies, equipment incentives, and PERC, visit PropaneCouncil.org.
About Friendswood Junior High: Friendswood Junior High School is located in Friendswood, Texas primarily a residential area located in the northwestern corner of Galveston County, approximately 25 miles from downtown Houston. City of Friendswood Online FJH is the only Junior High School in the Friendswood Independent School District. Friendswood Junior High School houses approximately 1500 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Friendswood Junior High School is an Exemplary campus and are proud to be a part of a TEA Exemplary district. Our goal is to assist our students in the development of their academic skills, as well as provide them with opportunities to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities.
Seguin ISD saves 33% on fuel costs with propane-powered school buses
SEGUIN —Seguin Independent School District (ISD) is reducing its fuel costs and limiting harmful greenhouse gas emissions by operating school buses on clean, domestically produced propane autogas. The school district, which has been running propane-powered buses for six years, estimates that using the alternative fuel saves 33 percent on fuel costs.
Seguin ISD is the largest school district in Guadalupe County, covering 365 square miles and servicing 7,556 students. There are 85 buses in Seguin’s fleet, including 57 diesel buses and 28 propane-powered buses. Seguin uses 71,950 gallons of propane per year, and has installed one on-site fueling station—a popular, affordable option for vehicle fleets that choose propane autogas.
Phia Rigney, Seguin ISD’s Transportation Director, says that the economic and environmental benefits of propane autogas originally caught the attention of the district. “The biggest selling point was the fact that the fuel burns a lot cleaner than diesel—which means cleaner air for the students and community of Seguin,” Rigney said. “We plan to continue purchasing propane buses. The preventative maintenance saves money because propane buses use less oil and can go longer between oil changes.”
Seguin ISD is just one of more than 75 Texas school districts operating buses on propane autogas. “Currently, there are more than 2,000 propane-powered buses across the state,” said Jackie Mason, Education & Marketing Director for the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT). “We expect that number to continue to grow. Propane autogas is a clean, safe and reliable way for school districts to reduce emissions for their students and create healthier budgets.”
Many school districts are able to save money by participating in national and statewide incentive programs. Seguin ISD took part in both a Railroad Commission of Texas incentive program and the $.50 per gallon alternative fuel tax credit from the federal government. With the initial reimbursement for the purchase of propane buses and the rebate on fuel, Seguin ISD has saved $500,000 since 2008. For more information about incentive programs, please visit www.FuelingTexas.com.
The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) created the Seguin ISD case study as part of its Propane Autogas: Fueling Texas campaign. The public awareness campaign has traveled across the state and produced a wide range of educational materials to promote the benefits of running vehicles and mowers on clean-burning propane autogas. To find out more about propane autogas, 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 program is funded with small fees from the propane industry and goes to fund several safety programs, as well as the commercialization of new propane technology. Visit www.procot.org for more information.
Texas school districts save on fuel costs with propane autogas
AUSTIN — Austin Independent School District (ISD) saves more than $45,000 annually by operating school buses, maintenance trucks and mowers on clean, domestically produced propane autogas. Using propane autogas not only decreases AISD’s fuel costs, but also reduces the amount of harmful emissions released into the air.
Austin ISD has 126 schools serving approximately 86,000 students. The Central Texas school district has been operating propane-powered vehicles for two years and propane-powered mowers for nine years. Austin ISD’s propane fleet contains six buses, 10 maintenance trucks and 15 mowers.
Propane autogas—the most widely used alternative fuel in the world—is ideal for mowers, school buses, and other vehicles. School bus fleets that switch to autogas save anywhere from 30 to 50 percent on fuel costs. Propane-powered buses produce less particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, hydrocarbons and greenhouses gas emissions than traditionally-fueled buses—plus, propane-powered buses are exempt from idling laws and restrictions.
“Using propane autogas is a great way to help build greener communities and healthier budgets,” said Jackie Mason, Educational & Marketing Director for the Propane Council of Texas. “Propane’s proven safety record, environmental benefits, and low cost make it an ideal choice for school districts across the state.”
There are more than 2,000 propane-powered buses operating in more than 75 Texas school districts. Propane autogas is widely available throughout Texas, with more than 700 autogas fueling stations across the state. Many fleets choose to install their own on-site autogas fueling stations for an inexpensive cost.
Propane Autogas: Fueling Texas is a public awareness campaign that educates Texans about the benefits of running fleet vehicles and equipment on clean-burning, domestically produced propane autogas. The campaign features a series of statewide autogas presentations and road shows to provide fleet operators, drivers and community members a hands-on experience with clean autogas technology. To find out more about propane autogas, 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 program is funded with small fees from the propane industry and goes to fund several safety programs, as well as the commercialization of new propane technology. Visit www.procot.org for more information.
Texas school districts educated on cleaner burning propane
DALLAS — Texas school board leadership had the opportunity to learn about clean, American-made propane autogas at the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Annual Convention September 27-28 at the Dallas Convention Center. The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) participated with its awareness campaign, Fueling Texas, to educate participants about the benefits of operating school buses, administrative vehicles and commercial mowers on propane autogas.
“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 and reduce fuel costs, but it has a proven safety record in Texas.”
Propane autogas is the most widely used alternative fuel in the world. The clean-burning, domestically produced fuel is ideal for mowers, school buses, and other vehicles. School bus fleets that switch to autogas save anywhere from 30 percent to up to half on fuel costs. Propane-powered buses produce less particulate matter, carbon monoxide, NOx, hydrocarbons and greenhouses gas emissions than many school buses on Texas roads today.
There are more than 2,000 propane-powered buses operating in more than 75 Texas school districts. Some of these ISDs are benefitting from a 50-cents-per-gallon tax credit through 2013. Thanks to the tax credit, Dallas County Schools—the largest propane-powered school bus fleet in the state—saves about $500,000 annually. Northside ISD, the second-largest propane autogas bus fleet in Texas, saved around $225,000 with the credit from 2011, and Denton ISD recouped $170,000 in the same year.
Propane commercial mowers can also contribute to additional savings for school districts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that almost 17 million gallons of gasoline are spilled each year refueling lawn equipment. Propane mowers have a closed loop, spill-free refueling system; no spills mean no lost dollars.
For many school districts across the state, operating mowers, school buses and other vehicles on cleaner burning autogas is a great way to help build greener communities and healthier budgets.
Propane Autogas: Fueling Texas is a public awareness campaign that educates Texans about the benefits of running fleet vehicles and equipment on clean-burning, domestically produced propane autogas. The campaign features a series of statewide autogas presentations and road shows to provide fleet operators, drivers and community members a hands-on experience with clean autogas technology. To find out more about propane autogas, 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 program is funded with small fees from the propane industry and goes to fund several safety programs, as well as the commercialization of new propane technology. Visit www.procot.org for more information.
