COOK-ILLINOIS CORPORATION RECOGNIZED
AS NATIONAL CLEAN BUS LEADER

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) today recognized Cook-Illinois Corporation as a National Clean Bus Leader for 2005. The company joins six other organizations recognized for their leadership in promoting clean buses for 2005.

Cook-Illinois Corporation, with a fleet of 1,400 buses operating in more than 50 school districts in Illinois has elected to use biodiesel in its fleet, making it one of the largest school bus fleets in the country running on this cleaner, renewable fuel. The private contractor operates more than school buses on a B20 blend (20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent petroleum diesel) with plans to expand its use to the entire fleet. This large-scale use of biodiesel will result in significant emissions reductions contributing to public health benefits, increased energy security and environmental improvements in the Chicago area.

In addition, Cook-Illinois Corporation recently began educating its drivers about the benefits of idle reduction, an often overlooked strategy to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The Corporation is working to establish guidelines on idle reduction for the school districts it serves. These efforts are likely to further improve air quality in the region while reducing fuel and maintenance costs for fleet operators.

Cook-Illinois Corporation is a national clean bus leader for its large-scale commitment to cleaning up its fleet and helping to protect the health of school children in Illinois . The decision to use biodiesel in its fleet in the absence of government grant funding or mandates is commendable. The Corporation has exhibited environmental stewardship and serves as an example for other private school bus contractors to follow.

Also being recognized this year are Yosemite National Park (California), Medford Township Public School District (Medford, New Jersey), Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (San Jose, California), Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (Fresno, California), and Colorado Springs School Districts 11 and 20 (Colorado Springs, Colorado).

The National Clean Bus Leadership Recognition Program was initiated in 2003 by EESI to highlight the leadership of local initiatives to bring cleaner buses to America 's communities and remove the dirtiest diesel buses from our roadways. This program is part of the Clean Bus Project, which encourages the deployment of cleaner fuels and advanced vehicle technologies by strengthening support for local, regional, state, and national 'clean bus' initiatives that have recognized the environmental and health impacts of conventional diesel buses and are working towards cleaner transportation practices.

More information, including the case study for Cook-Illinois Corporation, is available on the National Clean Bus Leadership Recognition Program's website: http://www.eesi.org/programs/cleanbus/leadership/index.htm

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress to provide timely information on energy and environmental policy issues to policymakers and stakeholders and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path .