THE SUE POPE FUND
A Project of Downwinders At Risk
REDUCING POLLUTION
IN NORTH TEXAS
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Local clean-air charity gifts $221,000.00 to Midlothian Independent School District for hybrid technology school bus Midlothian Independent School District, Holcim Cement, (Midlothian, Texas - Dallas/Fort Worth) – In one of the most unusual clean air settlements in the country, Midlothian cement plant Holcim Cement and a local environmental organization, Downwinders at Risk, join efforts to fund clean air projects. One of its latest endeavors includes funding Midlothian Independent School District’s replacement of an older, outdated school bus in exchange for a hybrid school bus. In 2005, traditional opponents Holcim Cement and the Downwinders at Risk reached a historic agreement over permitting issues at the Midlothian cement plant. Under the terms of the agreement, Downwinders At Risk dropped their fight over Holcim’s permit application to increase production and emissions at their Midlothian plant in return for Holcim’s commitment to undertake a list of projects to reduce emissions and monitor air quality. Included in that list were the requirement that Holcim install and test new pollution control technology, provide $2.25 million dollars for other projects aimed at reducing ozone forming emissions in the DFW area, provide monitoring for particulate matter for three years, provide up to $120,000 over five years for an independent scientist to review compliance and operations at Holcim, and to reduce the limits of ozone forming emissions previously requested by Holcim. The $2.25 million dollars was “set aside” in an organization named after the Midlothian native and rancher Sue Pope. “Truly unique, this historic settlement agreement is one of the few models in which industry and environmentalist join together to create winning solutions. We are thankful to Holcim Cement for their efforts in negotiating a win-win for air quality and a win-win for Midlothian school children.” said Sue Pope, the local rancher for which the fund is named. Midlothian Independent School District received $221,000.00 from the historic fund to purchase a greener and cleaner hybrid school bus. As a side note, Midlothian ISD will also receive the interest from the settlement agreement which, to date, totals around $77,000.00. "Although our school district has committed to the conversion of our fleet from diesel to propane in order to reduce NOx emissions, we welcome this donation of a gasoline hybrid bus to our fleet. MISD is committed to reducing our NOx emissions. This hybrid bus will support this effort," said J.D. Kennedy, Superintendent of Schools for Midlothian ISD. Hybrid buses, like their automobile counterparts, are significantly cleaner and reduce overall fuel consumption when compared with diesel and traditional gas powered vehicles. Specifically, the technology has proven effective in cutting particulate emissions (PM) by as much as 90%, ozone forming nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by as much as 60%, and heat trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) by as much as 30%. “North Texas fails to meet the minimum federal clean air standards for ozone. In a region where every cut in pollution can help improve overall air quality it is important to have national and regional models such as the Midlothian ISD school bus project.” said Alex Allred, Midlothian resident and Board Member for Downwinders At Risk. “We are delighted to fund a project in our own hometown of Midlothian” said Michel Moser, Holcim Cement Plant Manager. “This is part of our commitment to being good corporate neighbors.” ###
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