Student essay wins hybrid bus for California high school

News release: Irvington High School in Fremont, Calif., has been chosen as "America's Greenest School" in an essay contest and will receive a plug-in hybrid electric school bus. The essay by 16-year-old sophomore Alexander Chen outlined the areas where his school has become more energy efficient. IC Bus, which sponsored the contest, will award the bus, valued at $200,000 to Irvington. The vehicle is up to 65 percent more fuel-efficient than standard school buses and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 39 percent. Nearly 2,000 essays were submitted on behalf of more than 760 schools.