Chicago School Buses Test O2Diesel

November 15, 2006

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Chicago Public Schools have launched a pilot program to replace the traditional diesel fuel used to power school buses with O2Diesel, a blend of ethanol-diesel. The program is initially being tested in 27 school buses owned by Falcon Transportation serving 18 Chicago Public Schools.

The pilot is part of the City Home Program, a national air quality initiative that lets municipal transit systems and school bus operators make the switch to O2Diesel at no additional cost. The costs of conversion are shared by corporate sponsors. CityHome was launched in 2005 with the StarTran System in Lincoln, Neb. with the conversion of 67 diesel-powered transit buses to O2Diesel. In September, the city of Spearfish, South Dakota became the first school district to convert its entire fleet to O2Diesel.

The CityHome school bus initiative is intended to expand quickly in the Midwest with several pilot programs through the joint efforts of O2 Diesel and the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

“The environmental benefits of ethanol-diesel fuel over traditional diesel fuel are significant,” said Sadhu Johnston, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Environment. “Ethanol captures and delivers renewable energy, reduces greenhouse gas and reduces harmful school bus emissions.”

A 2005 study on a fleet of 75 transit buses in Johnson County, Kansas predicted emissions reductions of six tons per year by switching to O2Diesel.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader