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chool districts across the U.S. continue their shift to cleaner fuel options like electric, pro- pane and renewable diesel to improve student health and reduce environmental impacts. While most school districts lack exact data on emissions, many note anecdotal improve-


ments in air quality and student well-being. “The shift toward a cleaner, more sustainable future


isn’t just an environmental goal, it’s a commitment to the health and well-being of our students, staff and surrounding community,” noted Kathryn Baggese, trans- portation director for Stockton Unified School District in Northern California. The district transports about 3,000 of its approxi-


mately 35,000 students throughout a 64.5-square-mile area with a fleet of 125 buses—35 are battery-electric, 28 are gasoline, and the remainder are diesel. Another 30 electric buses are on order and expected to arrive by November.


“This expansion supports our ambitious goal of


becoming 100 percent electric for all home-to-school transportation by 2028,” she added. The school district started incorporating elec-


tric school buses (ESB) in 2021, a decision driven by state-level incentives, increasing awareness of the re- gion’s air quality issues and a districtwide push to reduce emissions and improve health outcomes. The district has since seen notable reductions in emis-


sions, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, which contribute to asthma and other respiratory illnesses, said Baggese. “While formalized emission studies are ongoing, inter-


nal data and route analysis suggest we’ve reduced diesel consumption by a significant margin, aligning with state benchmarks and improving local air quality,” she noted. “Parents have shared how excited their children are to ride the new electric buses and local stakeholders appreciate the district’s commitment to environmen- tal stewardship. For a region historically impacted by high pollution levels, this is more than a transportation change. It’s a public health win.” Baggese said drivers and staff report fewer symptoms


tied to exhaust exposure such as headaches and eye irritation. “Students, particularly those with asthma, are ben-


efiting from reduced exposure to tailpipe emissions especially during idle times and loading zones,” she added.


Beaverton School District near Portland, Oregon, pro-


vides transportation for 25,000 of its 38,000 students to its 56 schools within 57 square miles. Its fleet of 300 Type C and D school buses includes 45 ESBs, a number expected to increase to 92 by next March. The fleet rounds out with 62 propane buses and 184 diesel buses. “In January 2023, the district switched from using


B5 diesel to R99 renewable diesel and also began using renewable propane,” noted Craig Beaver, transportation administrator. “The department has 4,000 gallons of propane on site. Diesel buses are fueled each evening via wet-hose operations by a vendor.” Renewable diesel is drop-in, non-fossil fuel that


reduces the carbon index by 65 percent over petroleum diesel and reduces carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Beaverton first transitioned to propane in 2016 with 20 buses and expanded to more than 67 in four years. ESBs were introduced in 2022. “The impetus for moving to LPG was taking advantage


of VW Mitigation funding to replace aging diesel buses using particulate traps and improving the air quality and ride experience of our students,” added Beaver, the 2024 STN Transportation Director of the Year. ESBs were introduced with the assistance of $2.5


million in grants from Portland General Electric, a $20 million grant from the EPA Clean School Bus Grant Pro- gram, and district depreciation and bond funding. “In addition to improving air quality and reducing


emissions, Beaverton took a large stake in electrification with a vision to transform transportation and leverage its large fleet size to try different OEMs, transparently share data and results, disseminate knowledge to school dis- tricts statewide and nationally, and inspire other districts to embrace electrification,” he said. The district found that during the 2024 to 2025 school


year a reduction of 1,642 pounds NOx for an overall 2,405 pounds since implementation. Since implementation, there has been a 549-ton CO2


reduction and 390-pound CH4 reduction. Results are published monthly online at the district’s website. “The reduction of petroleum fuel and lubricants has


reduced the amount of hazardous waste generated and reduced costs,” noted Beaver. He added the school board is an enthusiastic sup-


porter and ESBs have been positively received in the community. “Parents appreciate the district’s efforts to improve air


Find updated emissions data on electric school buses operated by Beaverton School District in Oregon at stnonline.com/go/j8.


48 School Transportation News • JUNE 2025


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