Pueblo Districts 60 & 70 Kick off School Bus Retrofit Project!!

Pueblo Districts 60 & 70 have partnered with the Regional Air Quality Council and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to implement their own school bus retrofit project.  The project will purchase emissions reduction technology including diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs), spiracle units, and engine pre-heaters.  The RFP process was completed and a vendor, ISS, has been awarded the project.  Congratulations to Instrument Sales and Service, Inc!  This project will result in significant fuel savings, emissions reductions, less wear and tear on bus engines, and better air quality for students, teachers, parents and residents in the Pueblo area.

If you have any questions please contact Program Manager Steve McCannon at (303) 629-5450 ext. 230.

 

 

Diesel Emissions Technology --

Colorado Retrofit Project (CORP)

Background

Diesel exhaust contributes approximately 15-23 percent of the total PM2.5 inventory in the metro Denver region, which causes breathing and respiratory problems in the young, elderly, and those with pre-existing ailments.  Diesel exhaust is also responsible for approximately 25-40 percent of Denver’s visibility problem, known as the “Brown Cloud.”  Although the Denver region’s air is significantly cleaner than it was thirty years ago, there are still challenges in maintaining and meeting future standards.  The Denver region is currently a maintenance area for carbon monoxide.  In addition, the region violated the 8-hour ozone standard during the 2003 summer ozone season.  The region now stands at risk of becoming a non-attainment area for ozone if more is not done.  The Denver region also struggles with its visibility problem.

It is estimated that the use of diesel oxidation catalysts, closed crankcase filtration units, and idle reduction engine preheaters on participating trucks and school buses will reduce particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbon emissions by up to 40 percent.  Reducing the amount of diesel exhaust emissions entering the Denver region’s air not only makes it easier for people with respiratory infections to breathe, but it will help reduce the region’s “Brown Cloud.”  This project also protects the health of sensitive populations with the primary emphasis on school children because their developing lungs are more susceptible to exposure from air pollutants.

Diesel Retrofit and Idling Reduction Program

The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is currently implementing a two-year sub-grant program focusing on diesel idle reduction and purchasing retrofit equipment within the seven-county, metro-Denver region.  A competitive bid process was performed in order to provide for an open and fair vendor selection for the program.  Two vendors were awarded the project, Instrument Sales and Services and McCoy Sales.  Both are currently in the field identifying and installing retrofit equipment.

*If you are interested in viewing the RFP for the project, please click on the 'More Information' tab and look under 'Diesel RFP's.'

Program Goals

The main goals of the program are as follows:

    

• Install idling and emissions reduction equipment on approximately 800 - 1,500 in-use diesel vehicles.

• Develop idling reduction policies and training for equipment operators and supervisors. 

• Reduce emissions from retrofitted vehicles by a minimum of 20 percent.
• Implement written policies within each participating organization to reduce idling by a minimum of 10 percent.
• Reduce fuel consumption from retrofitted vehicles by a minimum of 10 percent.

 

Participating Organizations

The following 23 organizations, located in the seven-county, metro-Denver region, have agreed to participate in the Diesel Idling and Emissions Reduction Program. 

Aurora Public Schools

Adams County School District 50

Adams Twelve Five Star Schools

Cherry Creek Schools

Denver Public Schools

Littleton Public Schools

Douglas County School District

Jefferson County Public Schools

Mapleton Public Schools (Adams County 1)

Thompson Valley Schools

St. Vrain Valley School District RE-1J

City of Arvada Public Works Dept.

City of Boulder Public Works Dept.

Boulder County Public Works Dept.

City of Brighton Public Works Dept.

City of Broomfield Public Works Dept.

City of Castle Rock Public Works Dept.

City and County of Denver Public Works Dept.

City of Englewood Public Works Dept.

Lakewood Public Works Dept.

City of Littleton Public Works Dept.

City of Louisville Public Works Dept.

City of Thornton Public Works Dept.

If you are interested:

If you are an interested local government, school district, or private citizen and are interested in participating in a diesel retrofit or idling reduction project, please contact Sarah Sullivan at (303) 629-5450 ext. 290 or Steve McCannon at (303) 629-5450 ext. 230.  We are happy to help develop a project, seek grant funding, or provide technical support for these types of projects.

Advanced Idle Reduction Technology--

Auxiliary Power Unit Project

The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) has been awarded $80,000 to purchase and install auxiliary power units (APU's) for diesel semi-trucks operating throughout Colorado.  Prior to program award, the RAQC was able to secure 9 program partners who will all receive an APU.

APU's act as a generator unit providing heat, air conditioning and electricity into the cab of a diesel semi- truck.  APU's are mounted on the back of the cab and tap directly into the fuel line for power.  APU's use on average .2/gallons of fuel per hour of operation.  This unit allows for the driver to completely eliminate unnecessary idling while stopped for rest (8-10 hrs per day), providing for significant savings in fuel costs, engine wear and tear, and harmful diesel emissions.