Local News
Mesquite ISD buses become 'green machines' 
09:55 AM CDT on Friday, October 24, 2008
MESQUITE — The Mesquite ISD is the first in the nation to turn its entire fleet of school buses into "green machines."
It didn't take long for word to spread; now other school districts want to join in.
When it comes to cleaning out dirt and grime from the ignition system of a school bus, Keith McCollum is a pro.
His invention, Enviro-Kleen, hooks up to to the engine and flushes the system with one gallon of a special chemical McCollum also invented.
The process helps the Mesquite ISD keep its 143 diesel-powered buses running pollution-free, with no black smoke spewing from the exhaust and breathing down on its youngest riders.
Overall, emissions are down 40 percent.
Those statistics got the Garland ISD interested. They brought their two biggest-polluting buses for a treatment. McCollum said they were "really excited" with the results.
The Enviro-Kleen treatment is saving Garland schools money, helping to avoid layoffs and other major cutbacks that have plagued other North Texas districts.
E-mail jbetz@wfaa.com
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