DIAMOND BAR, CA --- The South Coast Air Quality Management District has awarded nearly $43 million to help school districts in Southern California purchase clean-burning compressed natural gas and propane buses to replace the dirtiest diesel school buses in their fleets.

Also, the AQMD awarded more than $3 million to help school districts retrofit 176 newer diesel school buses with particulate traps to reduce diesel emissions.

"The number of school buses being replaced or retrofitted with this award is extraordinary and it's a giant step toward our goal of cleaning up all school bus fleets in the region," said William A. Burke, chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District. "This will help thousands of school children and their communities breathe a little easier."

The award will enable 13 school districts across the Southland to replace 304 model year 1987 and older buses with new, cleaner burning compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane buses.