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More than a year has passed since Volkswagen (VW) announced its $2.9 billion contribution to an Environmental Mitigation Trust, resulting from its 2016 emissions cheating scandal settlement. Since it was first announced, the contribution has had one sole purpose – to fund transportation projects that significantly decrease nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Each state received millions of dollars, which could be used to finance a variety of fleets, from diesel, to electric, to propane. In fact, propane vehicles have competed from the start for up to $1.3 billion of the Environmental Mitigation Trust investment, according to Gladstein, Neandross & Associates’ Funding 360 team.

Propane autogas (the term for propane or liquified petroleum gas when used in vehicle transportation) vehicles have been on the scene for over 100 years. During the past decade, advancements have been made to liquid propane systems. New calibration and catalyst innovations are taking these propane vehicles to near-zero emissions levels, making a strong case for adoption.

A number of communities around the area are now using “green” public buses. They use propane gas instead of diesel to lower emissions. Some school districts are also switching to propane, and Wa-Nee Community Schools is one of them.

The 18 buses delivered to Newport News Public Schools may look ordinary, but a unique fuel powers them: propane. Their arrival marked a special milestone—the 15,000th propane bus delivered by Blue Bird. Newport News Public Schools operates a fleet of 335 buses, with 62 of them fueled by propane, an emission-reducing, cost-effective alternative fuel. The district has run propane buses for two years and will add 11 more by the end of 2019.

Ryan Newman’s No. 6 Ford Mustang will pay homage to another legendary American vehicle this weekend when the NASCAR Cup Series returns to Martinsville Speedway, carrying the iconic Blue Bird School Bus colors. “As a parent, I was interested to learn about what ROUSH CleanTech is doing to help make school buses safer, more economical and environmentally friendly,” said Newman.  “The Blue Bird paint scheme reflects the familiar yellow bus that we all grew up riding to school and I think the fans are going to love it when they see it on the track in Martinsville.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), greenhouse gases, which include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, methane and fluorinated gases, are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. While each contributes to climate change, emissions like nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide and particulate matter (PM) also pose a great risk to human health and air quality. One of the greatest ways to reduce these harmful emissions is to transition school bus fleets to cleaner, safer fuel sources.