Cycle Three Hybrid School Bus Awards Announced

Twenty-five more hybrid school buses have been awarded in the latest round of applications for funding assistance. The Kentucky Department of Education has received approximately $12.98 million in funding for project proposals from school districts to purchase approximately 213 diesel/electric hybrid school buses. Funds from this grant will support a number of school districts as they provide safe transportation while reducing emissions and lowering fuel consumption.

So far 99 buses have been awarded to 34 counties in the first two cycles of the grant's dispersal. Districts receiving buses in the third round are:

Breathitt County - 3
Crittenden County - 1
Kenton County - 3
LaRue County - 2
McCreary County - 1
Pike County - 15

Hybrid Electric School Buses Delivered to Madison County and Williamstown Independent

Four new hybrid electric school buses capable of improving fuel efficiency an average of 35% have joined Madison County’s fleet of 176 traditional school buses. Keys to the new hybrid buses were presented to Superintendent Tommy Floyd by Jeff Niblock of Whayne Supply in Richmond, KY on May 5, 2011.

“We are excited about introducing these hybrid buses into our fleet. We know the value they will add to the current efforts we are making in the area of energy efficiency and conservation district wide,” says Superintendent Floyd.

Williamstown Independent also took a delivery of their first two new hybrid electric school buses.  The buses were delivered on Friday, May 6th.  

Howell Speaks at ACT Expo

KCFC Executive Director Melissa Howell spoke at the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in Long Beach, CA on Friday May 6.  The sessions at the expo provided the latest information on funding opportunities, regulatory policies, and inside details on new and emerging technologies in North America. The Expo Hall included a wide array of vehicles and technologies, plus a strong presence from OEMs, component manufacturers, station developers, fuel providers, and other important clean technology project stakeholders.  Howell discussed the Hybrid Horsepower for Kentucky Schools program, which is bringing the largest fleet of hybrid electric school buses in the nation to Kentucky school districts.

KCFC Quarterly Meeting at Shaker Village

The quarterly meeting was a success with over thirty of the KCFC’s officers and board members showing their support at Shaker Village on Friday April 29th. After a small presentation about the history of Shaker Village, members were updated on KCFC’s finances by Treasurer Vic Peek, and a general update was given by President Tracey Thurman. A presentation on the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass program was given by Emily Sartini. Executive Director Melissa Howell brought the members up to speed on the Hybrid Horsepower for Kentucky Schools project. Lunch was served after a leisurely walk to the dining hall in pleasant weather.
View photos of the meeting on our Facebook page.

Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program Launched

Green Fleets of the Bluegrass aims to improve the environmental performance of vehicle fleets across Kentucky by reducing petroleum fuel use.

Fleets with significant green initiatives prior to the May 2011 launch of the program may elect an earlier baseline. Fleets without significant green fleet initiatives prior to program launch may elect May 2011 as baseline. Comparative data will be taken on November 1st of each year beginning this year. Participants will be rated according to a three-tier scale based upon seven criteria: vehicles, fuel, maintenance, operation, partnerships, strategy, and transparency.  

Improving fleets show progress in four of the seven areas. Achieving fleets show progress in all seven areas, and Leading fleets show continuous improvement in all seven areas.

KCFC members that submit baseline data by June 30th, 2011 will receive recommendations for initiatives to potentially improve year end ratings. Fleets may also submit baseline and year end data on November 1, 2011.

Find out more