Federal Player – The EPA’s Jim Blubaugh

Federal Player – The EPA’s Jim Blubaugh: Protecting Children from Harmful School Bus Emissions

Cool article by Partnership for Public Service and The Washington Post –

I really like this series where the highlight cool feds…Blurb below and full article at Washington Post

Millions of school children across the nation ride on buses every day that use diesel fuel, exposing them to dangerous pollutants and serious health hazards. Part of Jim Blubaugh’s job as head of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Clean Diesel Campaign is to clear the air by reducing emissions from thousands of diesel-fueled school buses, and in the process protect children from the noxious exhaust fumes.

As part of EPA’s Clean School Bus USA program, Blubaugh and his team have provided millions of dollars in grants to states and school districts since 2003 for the installation of new exhaust systems and filters on their bus fleets to reduce nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and air toxics.

“Diesel emissions are one of the most challenging and important public health issues facing the country,” said Blubaugh. “It’s difficult because diesel engines are the work horse of the country. You’ll find them in school buses, in construction equipment, and locomotives.”

Since its inception, the program the program has led to the retrofitting of more than 40,000 school buses used by some two million children, Blubaugh said. That has helped to curb the incidence of child asthma as well as other respiratory problems, he added.