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Nevada School District Relies on Diverse Fuel Portfolio
for Clean, Budget-friendly Fleet
hrough a diverse portfolio of clean fuels in its
school bus fleet, Washoe County School Dis-
trict has navigated continually changing state
Tlegislation requiring government fleets to op-
erate clean, alternative fuel vehicles. Spanning moun-
tainous regions of Reno, Sparks and other unincorpo-
rated communities over 6,342 square miles, the district
transports about 19,000 students on 265 bus routes to
100 schools each day. Each bus averages 100-200 miles
on daily and special education routes.
products and additional staff time are not needed.“The
A leader in clean transportation efforts, the overall cost per mile is about 13 cents less per mile than
district — which is the second largest in Nevada — has diesel,” said Scott Lee, transportation director. “The
operated alternatively fueled buses since 2000. The parts are also much less expensive than diesel, for the
district initially purchased compressed natural gas most part. It's a lot less oil and one small, single filter.”
buses after receiving a grant for a CNG station. The District technicians report ease of maintenance for the
transportation department then ventured into biodies- propane buses. The buses can be serviced with stan-
el followed by propane autogas in 2014 when govern- dard Blue Bird and Ford diagnostic equipment. “Many
ment grant funds became available. of our technicians already have experience working
Improving Air Quality with Ford engines, and they find that propane engines
are straightforward and easy to maintain,” said Kelley.
“When state legislation about alternatively
field vehicles for large fleets was passed, Washoe A Supportive Network
County School District embraced alternative fuels to To extend its networking capabilities and best
reduce emissions and improve air quality. Our fleet practices, the district joined the Energy Department’s
is 100% compliant,” said Jon Kelley, fleet operations Reno-Tahoe Clean Cities program in which Kelley has
manager. Washoe County School District first integrat- been an active member on several committees. Kelley
ed propane autogas by adding seven propane school is also past vice chairman of the Rocky Mountain Fleet
buses into its fleet in 2014, with additional propane Management Association, Nevada Chapter. “Being an
school buses purchased in subsequent years. Today, active member of both groups allowed me to better
about one-fifth of the district’s 350-bus fleet runs my own processes and abilities, which directly affect
on propane. The district's propane buses emit fewer my duties with Washoe County School District and the
smog-producing hydrocarbons and virtually eliminate community in a positive way on a daily basis,” he said.
particulate matter when compared to conventional Washoe County School District’s experience with fuel
diesel. The buses also drive toxic nitrogen oxide levels diversity highlights how propane autogas continues
down to near-zero levels and beat the federal require- to provide a simple solution to the complex problems
ments by an average of 54% across the greenhouse gas posed to school district transportation fleets. “My
family. advice to other school districts considering propane
Reducing Costs school bus adoption? Do it,” said Kelley. Lee agreed,
saying, “Now that we have been using them for 10
Currently, Washoe County School District years, we have found that they are a viable product.”■
enjoys a 278% per gallon savings when comparing pro-
pane to diesel. The dramatic fuel savings have helped Source: Todd Mouw is executive vice president
the transportation department continually improve of sales and marketing of ROUSH CleanTech, an
industry leader of advanced clean vehicle tech-
preventative maintenance protocols for its fleet. Post- nology. Mouw has more than two decades of
2008 diesel buses also require complicated emissions experience in the automotive and high-tech in-
equipment, along with expensive maintenance parts dustries. As former president of the NTEA Green
Truck Association, Mouw helped set standards in
and fluids. The district saves both time and money the green trucking industry. To learn more, visit
with propane buses because the extra maintenance ROUSHcleantech.com.

32 Alabama Propane Gas Association | March / April 2025