Lower Emission School Bus
The Lower Emission School Bus Program (LESB) was established in 2000 as a grant program to fund the purchase of new school buses to replace old, high-polluting public school buses and to equip public in-use school buses with retrofit devices. Participation in this program is voluntary. Funds for this program were created through Proposition 1B, the Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006. Prop 1B was approved by California voters in November 2006. This bond designates $200 million statewide to replace pre-1977 chassis model year school buses and pre-1977 engine model year school buses with new low emission school buses.
Air pollution from diesel vehicles has health implications for everyone, but children are more susceptible because they breathe 50 percent more air per pound of body weight then do adults. Diesel exhaust contains significant levels of small particles, know as Particulate matter (PM), especially fine particles. Children riding older school buses are exposed to these harmful diesel pollutants.
Butte County School Districts is expected to receive $2,600,000 in LESB funds. The District in partnership with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District is administering the LESB funds for Butte County School Districts. Project selection and application materials are available at the following website: http://www.airquality.org/mobile/schoolbus/index.shtml.
For local assistance with LESB program please contact District staff Gail Williams at 891-2882 x 105.