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Pennsylvania School District Operates
P ennsylv ania School Dis tric t Oper a t es
Pr
op
or a Dec
Propane Buses for a Decade
ade
ane Buses f

By: Todd Mouw
L Abundant Propane Supply

ocated in a mountainous region in northern
Pennsylvania surrounded by the Allegheny

More than 90% of the United States propane
autogas supply is produced domestically using mate-
National Forest, Bradford Area School District
transports about 2,500 students to school on 18
from other energy processes. According to the Pro-
daily bus routes that cover an attendance area span- rials that would go to waste if they were not salvaged
ning about 250 square miles. pane Education & Research Council, the Marcellus
Ten years ago, the district embarked on a for- shale, which is located in the Appalachian Basin, can
ward-thinking initiative to replace its aging diesel buses supply more than 2 billion gallons of propane per year.
with a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly fuel: “Our area has an abundance of propane due
propane autogas. The propane buses have successful- to local Marcellus and shallow wells, so we are doing
ly managed the weather, terrain, and wear and tear our part to support local industry and the community,”
of daily operations in Pennsylvania and provided the said Bryan, who holds a degree in environmental sci-
district with significant cost savings. Today, the district ence. “And because of my background, I have a strong
operates 100% of its routes using propane school bus- interest in green energy.”
es.
Lowered Emissions
“Over my 40-year career, in which I have over- The district’s Blue Bird Vision buses, which
seen the purchase and maintenance of hundreds of are equipped with ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas
buses, I have never seen a bus design that saves over engines, dramatically reduce nitrogen oxide emissions
$3,000 per year,” said Barry Bryan, director of trans- and virtually eliminate particulate matter — substanc-
portation for the district. “This is a huge number for es identified by the Environmental Protection Agency
any contractor or school district. I’m surprised we’re as harmful to students and the environment.
not seeing more of these units rolling down the road.”

18 Alabama Propane Gas Association | January / February 2024