COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio school districts now have an incentive to make the switch to soy biodiesel to fuel their buses.<br>
Funding from the State of Ohio through the school bus grant program is available to help schools offset any cost difference between B20 soy biodiesel (20 percent soy biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel) and conventional petroleum diesel.
“This is an excellent opportunity for school districts throughout Ohio to make a change that will have a positive impact on so many levels,” said Tom Fontana of the Ohio Soybean Council. “There are parents, school board members, school administrators and others who have wanted to make the switch to soy biodiesel, and now they have the financial assistance to make it happen.”<br>
The grant program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development, and the Ohio Soybean Council is working to promote the grants through the Clean Air for Kids campaign. School officials can apply for the grant money through the Clean Air for Kids website at www.soybiodiesel.org/kids<br>
“The Ohio Soybean Council’s sister organization, the Ohio Soybean Association along with the Ohio Farm Bureau were instrumental in getting the grant program in the State budget,” said Fontana. “Without their hard work and legislative support, this opportunity for schools would not exist.”<br>
School districts are eligible for a maximum of $25,000, and grants will be awarded on a first come-first served basis within four weeks of approval. Applicants will be required to provide information about their fleets, refueling practices and estimates of B20 soy biodiesel to be used. Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis.<br>
It’s easy for schools to get on board with the program, according to the Ohio Soybean Council, because B20 soy biodiesel performs just like conventional diesel and can be used in any diesel engine without modifications. Additionally, soy biodiesel is made from soybeans, a renewable resource grown in Ohio.<br>
Studies show soy biodiesel also offers benefits such as fewer emissions and provides a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter – important issues when school children are nearby. In fact, soy biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the rigorous Health Effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act.
Through the Clean Air for Kids campaign, educational opportunities also exist in the form of curriculum materials and presentations for schools to learn more about soy biodiesel.<br>
A total of $250,000 in funds are being made available for this program in FY 2008 with antoher $250,000 in funds available for FY 2009. Applicants are asked to provide information about their fleets, refueling practices and estimates on the ambout fo B20 to be consumed. Grant funds will eb repaid on a reimbursement basis.<br>
Both students and drivers are expected to benefi t from the air quality improvements of fleets that use B20 to replace conventional petroleum biodiesel. B20 reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter and sulfates.<br>
The use of alternative fuels like biodiesel and E85 (85 percent ethanol/15 percent gasoline blend) are part of a strategy to move Ohio towards greater energy security and independence.