Dear State Director of Pupil Transportation Services:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus USA partnership is proud to announce the availability of a new, free video to educate school bus drivers, fleet operators, and school officials about the benefits of reduced idling. We encourage you to view the enclosed copy and to distribute it to trainers who conduct driver education. Available on VHS and computer compact disk (CD) format, this 5-minute video provides important reasons for reducing unnecessary idling and practical tips for drivers. I have attached a synopsis of the key ideas.

The video can be downloaded from EPA’s web site and saved to a CD:
www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus. Additional information about creating a reduced-idling program is also available from this same web site. Materials include driver tip sheets, pledge cards, recognition certificates, and examples of posters, stickers, and free brochures about EPA’s program and the health effects of diesel exhaust.

The video and supporting publications are available free from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP). Phone orders can be placed by calling 800-490-9198 or 513-489-8190. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 am. - 5:30 p.m. (EST). After hours you may leave a voice mail order. The web address for information and links for ordering is www.epa.gov/ncepihom/ordering.htm. You may also e-mail ncepimal@one.net to request publications. The name of the video is "Reducing School Bus Idling: The Key to a Healthier Ride." The document number is EPA 420-V-04-01.

Idling buses waste fuel and money. Typical school bus engines burn about half a gallon of fuel per hour of idling. School districts that eliminate unnecessary idling can save significantly in fuel costs each year. In addition, idling school buses can pollute air in and around the bus. Minimizing children’s exposure to diesel exhaust is good for their health. Healthy children are more ready to learn and achieve. School bus engines do not need to idle more than a few minutes to warm up. Engine manufacturers generally recommend no more than 3 to 5 minutes idling.

We invite you to make this video a part of your state’s successful bus driver education program to help your area school districts save money and protect children’s health in the community. For more information, please contact me at keller.jennifer@iepa.gov or 202-343-
9541.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Keller
Clean School Bus USA