LANSING, Mich., Aug. 20, 2020 — Today, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced $366,150 in funding spread across four projects that will replace older diesel engines with newer and cleaner propane or diesel engines. As one of the grant recipients, Livonia Public Schools will receive nearly $74,000 to replace aging diesel engines in school buses with newer propane ones. In response, state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky issued the following statement:
“School buses should be a safe place for kids to relax, hang out and talk with their friends, but instead, they pose a potential risk. Transitioning to cleaner sources of fuel and better engines means not only improving the planet’s health but our children’s as well. I applaud EGLE for stepping up and providing funding for Livonia Public Schools to transition away from older diesel engines that produce exhaust harmful to our children and environment. The safety of our children at school is a top priority, and I’m glad to see some parts of the government are taking it seriously.”
Grants were also issued for the following projects:
- Luedtke Engineering Company, $165,372.94: tugboat engine replacement.
- Hopkins Public Schools and Allegan Public Schools, $72,125: diesel to diesel school bus replacement.
- Timber Products, $56,124: Caterpillar forklift replacement near Hiawatha National Forest.