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                     Press Release From


                           SENATOR

                    H I L D A   S O L I S

                    24th Senate District


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CONTACT:                                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Heidy Kellison                              RELEASE NO.: 22
(916) 445-1418


                ALHAMBRA RECEIVES SAFER, MORE
           ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SCHOOL BUSES


April 4, 1995

SACRAMENTO -- Hundreds of children in the Alhambra School 
District will soon be riding safer in less-polluting, more 
energy-efficient new school buses thanks to a program funded by 
the California Energy Commission, according to State Senator 
Hilda L. Solis (D-El Monte).

The Commission is purchasing at least 174 school buses under 
the third phase of the Safe School Bus Clean Fuel Efficiency 
Demonstration Program.  A total of five safe, new diesel-powered 
buses, valued at $423,400, will go to the Alhambra School 
District.

"Many parents will be relieved that their kids are travelling 
to and from school in safer vehicles because of the state's 
program," said Senator Solis. " Moreover, these buses are 
significantly cleaner than standard diesel buses, so we have 
the added benefit of cleaning our skies."

The program was created by the Legislature in 1988. Under the 
program, the school districts retire an equal number of older 
buses built prior to the 1977 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standards.  These older buses are replaced by ones that have 
advanced safety features.  Also, as part of the program, at 
least 35 percent of the new buses have to be powered by fuels 
other than diesel or gasoline.  The older buses are retired 
from service.

"Alhambra has some of the oldest school buses on the road in
California," said district Transportation Manager Brenda Hayes.
"We're using buses that were built in 1955 through 1960, which
probably wouldn't be replaced without this program."



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For more information contact:

Bob Aldrich
Information Officer, California Energy Commission - 916-654-4993


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File Name: 95-04-04_Senator_Solis_Release_on_School Bus_Program