by Krystal Paco

Guam - With money in hand the Guam Environmental Protection Agency is working closely with the Department of Public Works to bring 12 buses into compliance with the Clean Air Act. Guam EPA administrator Eric Palacios said, "We have received the money already and we are working with DPW right now to craft the guidelines within which this project will operate ," he explained. "It will require certified personnel perform the retrofitting of the exhaust technology."

The funds were received a couple of months ago as part of a $17,978 grant to retrofit school buses to reduce harmful diesel emissions. At this point Palacios says they are trying to determine whether they will need to go out to bid to find the best rate coupled with the best service. With the deadline to bring the buses into compliance set for September 30, 2014. He adds that they want to ensure that any down time of the buses does not hamper the transportation of schoolchildren.