Portland Public Schools Receives State Environmental Award
The Portland school district has won the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. The award recognizes efforts by the district’s transportation department to reduce diesel fuel emissions from buses and other vehicles, thus protecting children with asthma.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s Air Bureau nominated the Portland Public Schools for the award, which was given in the category of public health and the environment. That category recognizes projects that have significantly reduced or eliminated environmental hazards affecting children
The Portland Public Schools instituted a “no idling” policy for school buses three years ago. Signs posted at the schools this year ask all drivers to turn off their vehicles while waiting.
Kevin Mallory, the district’s transportation director, said that the no idling policy significantly reduces particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxide (NOx), hydro-carbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO). Particulate matter (soot) impacts students with asthma, and NOx contributes to ozone issues by creating smog.
To qualify for the award, the district also had to pass an audit of compliance with all environmental issues. Governor John Baldacci and Maine DEP Commissioner Dawn Gallagher presented the award to Mallory in a Statehouse ceremony on November 4.
