BOARDMAN, Ohio - On Thursday, Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) announced Boardman Local School District will receive $100,000 in federal funds to replace five buses. Boardman Local Schools will receive these funds through the Environmental Protection Agency's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). The new buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage.

"I am proud to announce five new buses for the Boardman Local School District that will not only carry children to school, but will do so in a way that will reduce emissions and pollutants that can cause asthma and lung issues in children," said Ryan in a press release. "At this time of a national health crisis, we need to be more mindful than ever that there are things we can do to help keep all of us healthy, and that is especially important for our children."

"As we continue to celebrate Earth Day's 50th anniversary, EPA continues to be committed to providing communities access to rebates to improve and replace aging school buses that will improve air quality across the country and provide children with a safe and healthy way to get to school," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "While many fleets are currently off the road as we all social distance during COVID-19, these local school districts will start up again, and EPA is proud to have helped equip them with cleaner running buses."

According to the release, the funding was released in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, nationwide, the EPA awarded $11.5 million to replace 580 older diesel school buses, with funds going to 157 school bus fleets in 43 states and Puerto Rico.

The EPA has implemented standards to make newer diesel engines more than 90 percent cleaner, but many older diesel school buses are still operating. These older diesel engines emit large amounts of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which are linked to instances of aggravated asthma, lung damage, and other serious health problems.

Since 2008, the DERA program has funded more than 1,000 clean diesel projects across the country, reducing emissions in more than 70,000 engines. A comprehensive list of the 2020 DERA school bus recipients can be found at www.epa.gov/dera/awarded-dera-rebates.