On Jan. 18 at the NSTA mid-winter meeting in La Jolla, Calif., several member companies were recognized during the association's inaugural Green Fleet Certification awards ceremony.

Jim Blubaugh of the Environmental Protection Agency helped present the awards during the meeting's general session, recognizing the companies for implementing alternative fuel programs in their fleets, purchasing a certain percentage of vehicle with 2007 or newer diesel engines, completing engine and tailpipe retrofits, and installing idle-reduction technologies.

The following companies/terminal locations are recipients of the inaugural Green Fleet Certification Award. Also included are some highlights of the recipient's green efforts:

Boone Transportation, Bronze Level

• Fuel reduction training and programs are in place
• 30% of buses are 2007 compliant
• 50% of buses are 2004 or newer

Dean Transportation, Patrick Dean, Gold Level

• 20% of fleet is 2007 compliant
• 50% of fleet is 2004 or newer

Fowler Bus Company, Donnie Fowler, Gold Level

• Over 50% of fleet is 2007 compliant
• 50% of fleet is 2004 or newer
• 30% of fleet is retrofitted with EPA/CARB Level 3
• Uses biodiesel

Gershowitz Transportation, Phil Vallone, Bronze Level

• Idle and fuel reduction programs are in place
• 30% of fleet is 2007 compliant
• 45% of fleet is 2004 or newer

Girardat Transportation, Harold Girardat, Bronze Level

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation programs in place
• 20% buses are 2007 compliant
• 30% buses are 2004 or newer

George Krapf Jr. & Sons (three locations), Dale Krapf

Great Valley School District, Gold

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation are part of driver training
• 39% are 2007 compliant, 69% are 2004 or newer
• 42% are retrofitted with EPA/CARB Level 3

Tredyffrin-Easttown, Gold

• 67% are 2007 Compliant, 90% newer than 2004
• Uses ULSD and bio diesel

West Chester, Silver

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation are part of training
• 23% 2007 compliant, 48% are 2004 or newer, 49% are retrofitted with EPA/CARB Level 3

Kobussen Buses, Ltd., Dan Kobussen, Gold

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation are programs are in place
• Over 50% of fleet is 2007 compliant
• Over 70% of fleet is 2004 or newer

Riteway Bus Service, Catherine Quabius, Gold Level

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation programs in place
• Uses diesel hybrid vehicles
• 50% of fleet is 2004 or newer

Rolling V Bus Corporation, Phil Vallone, Silver

• Idle reduction programs and technology are in place
• Fuel conservation programs are in place
• 54% of fleet is 2004 or newer.

School Bus Inc,. Steve Hey, Gold

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation programs in place
• 20% are 2007 compliant
• 50% are 2004 or newer

The Trans Group, John Corr, Silver

• Idle reduction and fuel conservation programs are in effect
• Over 30% are 2007 compliant
• Over 40% are 2004 or newer
• Has diesel/hybrid vehicles in use