Vermont State Natural Resources Agency Urges Diesel School Bus Idling Reduction

Diesel Fuel News, Nov 26, 2001

To protect kids from diesel bus fumes leaking into adjacent school buildings, Vermont's state environmental chief urges schools to turn off bus engines rather than allow extensive idling while picking up/dropping off/waiting for students. "A small number of Vermont school districts in recent years have adopted policies that require bus drivers to turn off their engines immediately when they arrive at school and to leave the engines off until the buses are set to depart.

To help school board members interested in this issue, the Vermont Public Interest Research Group [PIRG] has prepared a draft policy to regulate idling buses and trucks," Natural Resources Secretary Scott Johnstone says in a letter to schools. However, the Natural Resources letter fails to mention the new "Green Diesel" school bus produced by International, which produces virtually zero toxic emissions due to its PM filter and ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).