Enid board approves no-cost CNG conversions for district buses using Volkswagen settlement grant

The Enid Public Schools Board voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Green Energy Solutions to retrofit district buses with compressed natural gas (CNG) equipment, a move district officials said will cost the district nothing and could lower fuel costs.

Superintendent's staff introduced the proposal, saying the company will supply compressor and storage equipment and install slow-fill stations. "This will be a 0 cost to the district," a district representative said during the presentation. The district estimated a conservative annual fuel savings of about $36,000 if the conversion had been in place last year, though staff said savings could be higher.

Finance and operations staff explained how the conversions are funded. Sam Robinson said the company is using grant tax credits under a Volkswagen Environmental Protection Agency settlement program to cover installation costs. "They're doing it through that same grant process," Robinson said. District staff emphasized the company will pay for equipment and the district will not incur installation or setup fees.

Technically, the conversions are described as a supplemental system rather than a full conversion: Diesel engines remain in place and a CNG line feeds into the diesel fuel line with a control to set the blend. Staff said vendors recommend a 70% CNG/30% diesel blend for operations and described safety and maintenance arrangements used by other districts. The district plans to convert 28 yellow school buses plus six white charter buses; charters will likely be converted during the Christmas break because they are not on the road then.

Board members asked practical questions about tank size, storage, maintenance and resale implications. Staff said the CNG tanks are mounted within the chassis storage compartment and that normal district maintenance should suffice. On resale, staff said if the district sells a converted bus, a buyer could operate it on diesel alone but would need to assume the conversion equipment cost if they wish to remove it.

Sam Robinson also noted a three-year term tied to the equipment arrangement and said the vendor offers a warranty. He cautioned that previous full-conversion efforts had maintenance challenges and emphasized this proposal is a supplemental approach supported by other districts’ experiences.

The board approved the MOA by roll-call vote. The district said it will update the board as the conversions proceed and monitor actual fuel savings once the equipment is in service.