Biodiesel fuel makes buses run cleaner

Studies have shown that diesel exhaust can contribute to asthma and other respiratory problems, particularly among children and the elderly.

School officials in West Virginia say they are doing their part to protect children from the potentially harmful fumes by encouraging school systems to use fuel alternatives such as biodiesel and prohibiting unnecessary idling.

Biodiesel is a mixture of 80 percent diesel fuel and 20 percent soybean oil.

Ben Shew, executive director of transportation for the state Department of Education, estimates 75 to 80 percent of school buses in the state still use diesel.

He said he could not name the counties that use biodiesel, but they tend to be in the northern part of the state.

Southern counties do not have easy access to the fuel alternative. Those counties farthest south with a supply include Wood and Upshur. Right now, the closest supply of biodiesel is Morgantown.

George Beckett, director of pupil transportation for Kanawha County Schools, said he would like to use biodiesel.

"We'll consider it in the future when we can get a supply. Right now, we can't do much," he said.
The alternative fuel, while safer for students, also is more expensive, Shew said. However, to encourage more school systems to use biodiesel, state and federal incentives are available.

At the state level, some school systems can receive reimbursements of up to 95 percent of the cost. The reimbursements can be used for maintenance and operations. There also are federal rebates available.

Strict guidelines also are in place to regulate idling. State anti-idling policies are designed to adhere to most Environmental Protection Agency recommendations, Shew said.

For example, according to state guidelines, idling is not permitted while loading students during normal weather conditions.

However, buses are permitted to idle when it's 40 degrees or lower so windows will stay defrosted. They are allowed to do so for 30 minutes. Buses are allowed to idle for only 10 minutes if defrosting windows is not needed, Beckett said.

To further reduce student exposure to fumes, exhaust pipes in most buses are now located to the side of the vehicle. This prevents fumes from coming inside the rear door of the bus.
Also, in West Virginia, buses are replaced every 12 years. Starting with the next replacement cycle, bus engines will be constructed with EPA-recommended engines that should greatly reduce emissions.