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                        NEWS RELEASE FROM 


                   T  I  M     L  E  S  L  I  E

                      SENATOR, FIRST DISTRICT


      Vice Chairman, Appropriations, Judiciary Committees
    Member, Natural Resources and Wildlife, Health Committees

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Contact: Roger Wildermuth
Date: June 8, 1995                       Phone:   (916) 445-5788


                   AUBURN SCHOOLS GET NEW BUSES


SACRAMENTO -- Students in Mid-Placer Public Schools will soon be 
riding to school in safer, more energy efficient buses, thanks to 
a California Energy Commission program, according to project 
supporter Senator Tim Leslie (R - Carnelian Bay).

The Auburn-based schools will receive two advanced diesel-powered 
buses worth roughly $85,000 each to replace older ones.  The 
buses have lower emissions and feature advanced safety features 
such as additional exits, fire-suppression systems in the engine 
compartment and a stop sign mounted to a swing arm that extends 
out from the left side of the bus when children are crossing the 
street.

"Cleaner, more energy efficient buses are not only cost-effective 
to operate, but provide safer transportation for school 
children," Leslie said. "The district should be commended for 
its commitment to safer transportation and cleaner air."

The program was created by the Legislature in 1988, when Leslie 
was serving in the Assembly, to replace older buses with safer, 
more environmentally friendly models. The program also requires 
that at least 35 percent of the buses have to be powered by 
fuels other than diesel or gasoline. Funding for the program 
comes from a federal account that is comprised of fines 
collected from oil companies that over-charged consumers during 
the 1970 oil crisis. The buses are due for delivery by the end 
of 1996.

"We're very happy to be participating in this program," said Ben 
Bergfelt, Chief Executive Officer of Mid-Placer Transportation 
Agency.  "We'll be continuing the program we started in the 
previous phase to provide the safest, most energy efficient 
buses in California to transport our school kids."


                              -- 67 --


For more information contact:

Ben Bergfelt, Chief Executive Officer
Mid-Placer Public Schools Transportation Agency Ð 916-823-4820

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


end of file
File Name: 
95-06-08_Senator_Leslie_Release - Auburn Schools_Get_New Buse