Back to School Idling?

School buses are out in force as schools begin classes. While a school bus can take dozens of cars off the road by transporting large groups of children more efficiently than their parents, the buses run on diesel fuel.  Older model buses generate significant amounts of air pollution that can be hazardous to the children riding them or people nearby when they are idling.

Caterpillar, an Illinois manufacturer with facilities in Will County, created a device that reduces 90% of these pollutants when affixed to existing buses.  A few years ago, the company partnered with the US EPA to offer their Diesel Particulate Filter through grants to bus fleets across the country.  The EPA partnered with Scholastic to write, illustrate, and publish “The Magic Bus Gets Cleaned Up” to create an easy way for kids to understand the issue of dirty diesel emissions.  (See more at http://epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/ )

While it is important that we reduce air pollution from school buses, we should also address the issue of idling that both the buses and parents picking up kids generate.  Regardless of if we are idling at the drive-thru, the school or in traffic, the idling pollutes the air, wastes fuel and causes excess engine wear.  Contrary to popular belief, we do not need to let a modern car warm-up and trucks have heating blocks that cut the need to idle in winter.  Many schools and communities are adopting no idling policies to reduce this pollution and waste of fuel. If your school, community or business wants to adopt such a program, check out the EPA’s resources at http://epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/antiidling.htm

Don’t forget to WATCH for Kids when driving!