Under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Clean Diesel Rebate program, public and private school bus fleet owners are eligible to apply for funding to replace school buses that have older, dirtier diesel engines, which will reduce diesel emissions and will help improve air quality for Americans.
"School buses are the safest and most environmentally friendly way to transport children to and from school," said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “The rebates to retrofit older bus engines will provide healthier rides for the 25 million children across the country who ride them on a daily basis.”
Many of the nation’s school buses use diesel engines, which are durable and long-lasting. EPA has implemented standards that require diesel engines to be more than 90 percent cleaner, but many older diesel school buses remain in operation and predate these standards. Older diesel engines emit large amounts of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. These pollutants are linked to health problems, including aggravated asthma, lung damage, and other serious health problems. Since 2008, the DERA program has funded over 500 clean diesel projects across the country. These projects have reduced emissions for more than 50,000 engines.
As part of the 2014 School Bus Replacement Funding Opportunity, EPA is offering approximately $3 million in rebate funding. Agencies in EPA Region 7 (Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska) are eligible for an additional $700,000 in rebates.
Public and private school bus fleets are eligible to apply for rebates for the replacement of school buses with engine model years of 2006 or older. EPA will accept applications from Oct. 15 – Nov. 17, 2014. Applicants may submit only one application for up to five buses.
To learn more about the rebate program, applicant eligibility and selection process, and informational webinar dates, please visit http://epa.gov/cleandiesel/dera-rebate-schoolbus14.htm
