Feature
EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program Details: Rural Schools & High Need Will Be Given Priority
Texas leads the nation in propane school bus adoption and according to a recent report from the Railroad Commission of Texas, there are over 3,300 propane school buses registered with the Commission operated by over 70 school districts. School districts like Cy-Fair ISD, Northside ISD, Prosper ISD, Leander ISD, Georgetown ISD, and Eanes ISD all operate propane school bus fleets.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently accepting applications for its Clean School Bus Program to fund the replacement of diesel school buses with low-emissions alternatives – like propane autogas – over the next five years. The $5 billion program is part of the federal Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act. $500 million will be available for 2022, with half for propane and natural gas and the other half of the funds for electric school buses. Schools district across the United States will be able to complete a very short application and apply for up to 25 school buses this rebate round by replacing 2010 or older diesel buses with MY 2021 or newer, cleaner buses like propane. Rebate Amounts
• Rural or high-need districts $25,000$30,000 rebate per new propane bus • Non-priority districts $15,000$20,000 rebate per new propane bus. • Rebate amount is based on size of the bus. Rebates will be awarded based on a lottery system, but priority will be given
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to rural districts, low-income school districts, and tribal schools. Schools can start applying now! School districts just need to complete a very short & easy application by no later than August 19, 2022. School districts can apply at https:// www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus. All winners will be notified by October 2022. Districts have until April 2023 to submit their payment requests with purchase orders to the EPA.
Propane School Bus Marketing Resources. Go to https://propane.com/autogas-learning/school-transportation to download several resources for school districts on the benefits of propane school buses to their fleet. For any grant questions or grant writing on this program or others? Please contact the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) at (800)325-7427 or info@propanecounciloftexas.org.
Important Dates Activity
Date
EPA Clean School Bus Program accepting rebate applications
May 20– August 19, 2022
EPA reviews applications and begins the selection process.
September 2022
EPA notifies applicants of selection status and posts list of applicants and selectees online. Selectees can proceed with purchasing new buses.
October 2022
Selectees submit Payment Request Forms with purchase orders demonstrating that new buses have been ordered.
October 2022 – April 2023
Project period deadline for selectees to receive new buses, replace old buses, and submit Close Out Forms.
October 2024
Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
