Autogas Earns An A+

School districts across the country are turning to propane-fueled buses as a safe, eco-friendly and economical way to transport kids. Drivers have found propane autogas buses run quietly and emit 18 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline buses, according to the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). More than 10,000 propane-fueled school buses in 45 states are transporting students, PERC reports.

“There are many benefits to using propane autogas to fuel school buses. Along with the environmental benefits, one of the biggest reasons we’ve heard for converting is the lower total cost of ownership,” says Adam DeLawyer, executive vice president of energy and retail services for Landmark Services Cooperative, Cottage Grove, Wis.

“The school bus market is one of our main targets for propane growth. We fuel approximately 70 school buses with more than 250,000 gallons of propane autogas,” says DeLawyer. “Once a school district gets started, it tends to prefer propane buses and increase its propane-powered fleets.”

Schools appreciate clean-burning propane autogas as a way to help meet environmental initiatives, says Steve Cure, director of refined fuels for Agfinity in Eaton, Colo. “Our state provides good incentives for schools to stay ‘green.’” Agfinity has bus fueling stations at Brighton and St. Vrain, Colo. “We’re working to help more school districts convert to propane autogas,” says Cure. “School districts like the reduced emissions and economic value. Drivers and students like that the buses are quieter and warm up faster.”

The school bus market provides retailers with predictable, steady propane demand for nine months of the year, a departure from the seasonality and year-to-year fluctuations associated with propane demand for grain drying and home heating. That’s one reason CHS has launched a new initiative to help propane marketers work with local school districts.

“Our team has geared up to help customers capture this market opportunity,” says Chad Furuseth, CHS business development manager for alternative fuels. “We’ve created local marketing materials. We’re offering an exclusive program to assist with leasing dispensers and tanks. And our experts are here to help with everything from equipment selection to sales presentations.”

Marketers say strong partnerships are the key to successfully serving this segment. “CHS has supply relationships with nearby terminals and has invested in a rail terminal at the northwestern edge of our territory, so we know we can trust them to always come through with propane for us,” says DeLawyer. “CHS also offers resources on the propane equipment side that can help us continue to grow our business.”

For businesses like Landmark Services Cooperative — which funds college scholarships and conducts food drives in the communities it serves — providing a cleaner fuel that improves school bus safety is just one more way to be a good neighbor and build trusted relationships.

“Being good stewards in our communities is something that differentiates us, and school districts value that commitment,” says DeLawyer.