SOOT-FREE ENGINE APPROVED

A methanol-powered engine for urban transit buses has been approved for use in California cities, the state Air Resources Board said Tuesday.The new engine emits virtually none of the soot-like particulates associated with current diesel buses and meets emission standards for smog-forming hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The new engine is expected to be used initially in about 100 urban transit buses now on order for Los Angeles and other California metropolitan areas and is to be installed in all newly purchased buses.