Astoria school buses get lift from EPA in quest to scrap old diesel engines

The EPA announced an Astoria bus fleet will receive a rebate to update their vehicles. Photo via See-ming Lee/Flickr

By Rachel Vick

A school bus company based out of Astoria is getting a lift from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as it seeks to swap outdated diesel-powered buses with cleaner alternatives.

All American School Bus Corp. will receive a $200,000 rebate for the replacement of 10 buses in their fleet for models that are electric, use alternative fuels or have diesel engines that meet current standards.

"The rebates provide children with a safe and healthy way to get to school by upgrading older diesel engines in our nation’s school buses," said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “EPA is equipping local school districts with cleaner-running buses, helping them along the route to healthier kids and communities.”

Applicants replacing diesel buses with engine models from 2006 and older received between $20,000 and $65,000 per bus, depending on the fuel type of the replacement, through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.

2020 is the first year the agency offered additional rebates for clean energy alternatives.

Emissions from diesel engines have been linked to pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which have been linked to higher occurrence of aggravated asthma and other health issues.

Since October 2020, the NYC Clean School Bus coalition formed by a group of environmental advocates, parents and community organizations has pushed for the electrification of privately owned school buses serving public schools.

New York City has committed to electrifying the city’s public fleet by 2040 under the Climate Leadership Community Protection Act, but that legislation that does not extend to the private sector.

“Part of creating a more equitable and sustainable city is prioritizing the health and safety of children as well as community as a whole through the electrification of school buses,” New York Lawyers for the Public Interest community organizer Jenny Veloz said in October. “We should all be fighting to make sure that every community in New York City breathes clean, fresh air.”