The agreement provides funding to bellevue community school district

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $250,000 Project Grant under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants program (CFDA 66.039) to the Bellevue Community School District in Iowa. The purpose of the grant is to replace two older diesel school buses with two new 2024 diesel school buses. This equipment replacement project will reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and air toxics, improving air quality and student transportation safety in the Bellevue community. The grant period runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, and is expected to result in annual reductions of 0.013 tons of PM2.5 and 0.175 tons of NOx, with lifetime reductions of 0.051 short tons of PM2.5 and 0.729 tons of NOx.

Specifically, the recipient will replace and upgrade a 2004 (2003 engine) diesel freightliner school bus and a 2006 (2004 engine) diesel freightliner school bus with two new 2024 diesel school buses. This equipment replacement project will provide improvement to the emission system reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter, NOX and exposure to diesel air toxics in jackson county; bellevue, IA, 52031; the buses will operate in the bellevue community school district. Activities:the activities include purchasing two new school buses (ulsd diesel engines) that will allow for the replacement/removal of a 2004 and 2006 diesel freightliner school buses. The district will purchased both school buses in their respective years and has maintained full ownership of both school buses ever since. The 2004 freightliner's 2003 engine is estimated to have roughly three years of remaining life. The 2006 freightliner's 2004 engine is estimated to have roughly five years of remaining life. The two new ulsd diesel school buses will provide an improved emission system for the district as the school buses will be utilized daily during the school year, for regular school routes and school related activities. The two school bus equipment replacements will allow for much improved air pollution and reduce toxic emissions as the 2004 and 2006 school buses are still being actively used by the district.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include 2 new ulsd diesel engines will be replaced in the bellevue community school district. This project will not only impact the air quality and the district's transportation department, but this project will go a step further as IT also impacts students, school activities, coaches/staff/teachers, and district taxpayers as a whole. The project will not only reduce emissions but also improve and ensure the safety of everyone impacted as the safety in new school buses is always improving. The expected outcome for bellevue includes the purchase of two new school buses ulsd diesel engines. Annual reduction = 0.013 tons PM2.5 and 0.175 tons NOX. Lifetime reduction= 0.051 short tons PM2.5 and 0.729 tons NOX. The intended beneficiaries include bellevue community school district in jackson county, bellevue, IA.