Connecticut

School Bus Retrofit Program

The Connecticut Clean School Bus Program was created to: 1) establish grants for municipalities and local and regional school boards for reimbursement of the cost of retrofitting full-sized school buses that are projected to be in service on or after September 1, 2010; 2) develop and implement an outreach plan and educational materials regarding the program, and; 3) assist municipalities and local and regional boards of education and bus companies to retrofit their full-sized school buses. (Reference Connecticut General Statutes 22a-21j and 22a-21k)

Zero Emission Bus Implementation Plan

As part of a state effort to identify strategies to expand the availability and use of hydrogen fuel and renewable energy sources, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc., must develop a plan to implement zero emission buses on a state-wide basis. The plan should be completed by December 31, 2010, and include the technological, facility, and financial arrangements necessary to fully implement such a bus fleet, including identifying specific locations for hydrogen fueling stations along state highways and other locations. (Reference House Bill 6649, 2009)

School Bus Emissions Reduction

Prior to September 1, 2010, each full-sized school bus with an engine model year of 1994 or newer, transporting children in the state, must be equipped with specific emissions control systems, including either: 1) a closed crankcase filtration system and a level 1 device, level 2 device or level 3 device; 2) an engine certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet Model Year 2007 emission standards; or 3) use compressed natural gas or other alternative fuel certified by the EPA or the California Air Resources Board to reduce particulate matter emissions by at least 85% as compared to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. (Reference Connecticut General Statutes 14-164o)