Pasco County school buses have the green light to run on natural gas.
School officials expect the shift to save money in the long-term, while ushering in a more environmentally friendly fleet of buses.
On Feb.10, the Pasco County Planning Commission approved a recommendation from the county’s planning staff to allow construction of a bus maintenance and storage facility, and a refueling station on Interlaken Road in Odessa.
(File Photo)
The approximately 24-acre site on the north side of Interlaken Road will have the capacity to accommodate about 120 school buses and 180 personal vehicles.
In the first year of the program, school district officials plan to buy 30 to 35 new buses that run on fuel known as Compressed Natural Gas, or CNG. Those buses could be in service by spring of 2017.
More buses will be added year to year, slowly replacing some of the 470 buses in the fleet. The shift will reduce reliance on gasoline and diesel-burning fuels in favor of natural gas, which burns cleaner and emits fewer toxins.
Upfront costs are anticipated at about $1.5 million per year to buy buses. However, the school district could be reimbursed $25,000 per bus, up to 10 buses, through a state rebate program.
Clearwater Gas System, which is owned and operated by the city of Clearwater will supply the natural gas.
The planning commission’s approval came with conditions to address concerns raised by nearby residents.
An 8-foot masonry wall will be built. Activities within the compound will be set back 40 feet from residences, and efforts made to keep noise levels low.
Roadwork on a newly-extended Interlaken Road is under way. When completed in June, the two-lane road will have 6-foot sidewalks and an 8-foot multi-use trail.
Published February 17, 2016
