0 Emission: EPA retrofits the Magic School Bus from the children book series with diesel particulate filter

Friday, October 19, 2007

EPA retrofits the Magic School Bus from the children book series with diesel particulate filter

Filed under: Diesel

This is the strangest and most wonderful thing I have read today. The EPA and Scholastic released a special edition of the popular children's book series the Magic School bus, called "The Magic School Bus Gets Cleaned Up." EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock recently read the book to school children in Cunningham Park Elementary School library in Vienna, Virginia. The students then went on Scholastic's traveling Magic School Bus, which includes interactive science experiments and a "new diesel particulate filter installed, courtesy of Caterpillar Inc." (pictures of the real Magic School Bus and particulate filter below the fold).

If that was not strange enough, the event also promotes the Clean School Bus USA program, which has cleaned up 2 million buses. "President Bush and EPA are making that black puff of diesel smoke from school buses something children only learn about in history class" said EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock. Leslye Schaefer. Scholastic Media Senior Vice President says, "Scholastic is thrilled to join the EPA in its effort to educate children and their families about clean air - and to make The Magic School Bus more environmentally friendly at the same time."

You can order the book for free by phone or e-mail from the EPA but supplies are limited because it's so popular! "Individuals, schools, and libraries may order up to 20 copies. Non-profit organizations working on diesel emissions issues and outreach may order up to 500. Other organizations, including for-profit companies, may order up to 100. Larger requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis." Even I want one! The idea that the EPA actually retrofitted a fictional, illustrated, cartoon school bus with pollution controls is just too funny.

I wonder if the EPA will get Ralph from the The Mouse and the Motorcycle an Enertia?

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