By JANE HOUIN
Ohio Correspondent

AMANDA, Ohio — The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) recently hosted a kickoff event at Amanda-Clearcreek High School to promote an educational campaign that seeks to educate Ohio school districts, administrators and parents about the benefits of using soy biodiesel in school buses.

Amanda-Clearcreek Local School District, which is already finding success using soy biodiesel and is an applicant for the School Bus Soy Biodiesel Grant Program, was presented with a certificate of recognition for their efforts in providing cleaner air for their students.

Three years ago, a community member approached the Amanda-Clearcreek School Board and expressed concern about fumes children were breathing when riding the school bus, said Don Sharp, president of the Fairfield County Farm Bureau. The school board made a commitment that they would transport the students in the safest way possible, so when the opportunity came about to use soy biodiesel, it was an easy decision.

Studies show soy biodiesel also offers benefits such as fewer emissions and provides a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter – important issues when school children are nearby. In fact, soy biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the rigorous Health Effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act.

Developed by OSC and the soybean checkoff, the Clean Air for Kids campaign encourages decision makers in Ohio’s 600 school districts to make the switch to B20 soy biodiesel (20 percent soy biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel).

“The Clean Air for Kids program is a great example of how we’re bringing the benefits of soy biodiesel to the public’s attention and helping to make a difference by bringing this renewable, cleaner-burning fuel into greater use where it just makes sense in school buses,” said Dan Corcoran, OSC chairman. “This program benefits Ohio school children, the environment and Ohio soybean farmers.”

Both students and drivers are expected to benefit from the air quality improvements of fleets that use B20 to replace conventional petroleum biodiesel. B20 reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter and sulfates. The use of alternative fuels like biodiesel and E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline blend) are part of a strategy to move Ohio towards greater energy security and independence.

The School Bus Soy Biodiesel Grant Program was established in Gov. Ted Strickland’s biennium budget and is administered by the Ohio Department of Development. Schools wanting to use soy biodiesel in their buses have the opportunity to apply for grants that will cover the cost difference between regular petroleum diesel and soy biodiesel. The grants are for a B20 blend, and there is no additional cost to school districts.

School districts are eligible for a maximum of $25,000, and grants will be awarded on a first come-first served basis within four weeks of approval. Applicants will be required to provide information about their fleets, refueling practices and estimates of B20 soy biodiesel to be used. Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis.

A total of $250,000 in funds are being made available for this program in 2008 with another $250,000 in funds available for 2009. Applicants are asked to provide information about their fleets, refueling practices and estimates on the amount of B20 to be consumed. Grant funds will be repaid on a reimbursement basis.
While several Ohio schools have already made the switch to soy biodiesel, this grant program will provide more support. Ohio schools already using soy biodiesel to fuel their fleets include Amanda-Clearcreek, Amherst Exempted, Arcadia, Blackriver, Canal Winchester, Circleville, Elida, Firelands, Fort Frye, Hardin-Houston, Huron, Ida Sue, Jefferson Area Local, Logan Elm, Marietta, Massillon, Miami East, Newbury, Norwalk, St. Mary’s, Upper Arlington and Wellington.

It’s easy for schools to get on board with the program, according to the Ohio Soybean Council, because B20 soy biodiesel performs just like conventional diesel and can be used in any diesel engine without modifications. Additionally, soy biodiesel is made from soybeans, a renewable resource grown in Ohio.

“This is an excellent opportunity for school districts throughout Ohio to make a change that will have a positive impact on so many levels,” said Tom Fontana of the Ohio Soybean Council. “There are parents, school board members, school administrators and others who have wanted to make the switch to soy biodiesel, and now they have the financial assistance to make it happen.”

After the kickoff ceremony, OSC educational consultants held several classes throughout the day, educating Amanda-Clearcreek science classes about air quality issues and soy biodiesel. Through the Clean Air for Kids campaign, these types of educational opportunities are available to other Ohio schools.

Through the Clean Air for Kids campaign, educational opportunities also exist in the form of curriculum materials and presentations for schools to learn more about soy biodiesel.

For more information about education and the entire Clean Air for Kids campaign, visit www.soybiodiesel.org/kids