Hannibal Public Schools District #60 Receives Funds for Clean Buses
Missouri district adds nine propane school buses with funding help from the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council.
HANNIBAL, Mo., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Hannibal Public School District #60 has utilized funding from incentive programs like the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program and the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council to double down on its commitment to substantially reduce its carbon footprint with propane school buses. Plans are underway for a fully-propane-fueled fleet.
“As we researched various fuel options, propane emerged as the best choice for our school district,” he said. Scott SpeerTransportation director for the District:
Located in Northeastern Missouri, Hannibal Public School District Two propane school buses were received earlier this year. There are currently four additional on the way, and another three in order. The new propane buses will make up 22% of the district’s fleet. They are clean and low-emission.
The propane buses will be replacing the diesel buses that were around 20 years old, and which emit known carcinogens. Like diesel, propane autogas, unlike diesel, is nontoxic, carcinogenic, and not-corrosive. It is also classified as a Non-contaminant by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Four propane school buses will go to the winners $22,000 The Clean School Bus Program has funded the first round of funding. It will fund one bus per year.
A district will also be provided with a $2,000 rebate per bus through the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council. The Council was established by state statute in order to provide propane safety education and programs. $1 Million To help school districts switch from diesel buses to propane-powered models.
Propane school buses can be clean and economical and eliminate harmful emissions like diesel buses. Speer stated that staff and directors thought carefully about choosing a practical, affordable fuel for their new buses. They looked at many options before settling on propane autogas.
“Electric buses are very popular right now…However, an electric bus costs more than three times the amount of a diesel-powered bus,” said Speer.
The entire picture was considered by the district when it made its decision. This included the initial purchase of the buses, ongoing maintenance costs, and fuel infrastructure.
“Compressed natural gas buses would have required extensive renovations of our facilities to compare infrastructure costs. That is an expensive cost. Propane is extremely stable and doesn’t require us to renovate our facilities. Propane is also a more economical fuel than diesel. Propane is simply a way to get propane. Hannibal Speer said that transportation could help save taxpayers money while offering a cleaner alternative to diesel.
By reducing the cost of fuel, fluids, filters, and buses that are fueled with propane autogas, school districts will have lower total costs of ownership than those powered by diesel. Propane buses don’t require complex after-treatment equipment such as manual regeneration, diesel particulate filters and diesel exhaust fluid. Propane buses also make oil changes easier and more affordable.
Big River Oil won the bid to supply propane. Hannibal Public Schools has partnered up with the district in order to help purchase and install the infrastructure needed to fuel propane buses on school properties. The district has the capability to fuel two buses simultaneously with its stations and can scale up if necessary. The installation of propane infrastructure is cheaper than other transport fuels.
“Propane school busses are better for our kids, better for our community, and better for the planet,” said Steve AhrensPresident of the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council. They reduce harmful tailpipe emissions and stretch taxpayer dollars. Hannibal Public Schools District 60 is making wise investments. District 60 was able to remove seven additional diesel buses from school bus stops by choosing propane buses instead of electrifying them.
The district currently operates 37 buses. $4.10 Per gallon diesel $1.69 Per gallon propane District residents will also benefit from the federal excise tax credit for alternative fuels. $0.37 Per gallon
“Any savings made by propane buses will go to support high-quality education for all.” Hannibal’s Speer stated that Speer was referring to students.
Hannibal Public school District was one of the two schools in Missouri In 2022, Clean School Bus Program will provide funding to purchase propane buses. Today, more than 300 propane buses are in operation. Missouri Over 20,000 people are located across the country.
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About MOPERC: The Missouri Propane Education & Research Council is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the Missouri Legislature. MOPERC, which is dedicated to propane education, public awareness and industry training, provides consumer safety, appliance rebates, market developments programs and industry training. It is managed by an executive staff and consists of 15 directors who are volunteers. Visit PropaneMissouri.com.
Media Contact
Gregg Voss, Missouri Propane Education & Research Council, 224.542.9530, [email protected]
SOURCE Missouri Propane Education & Research Council