2022 and 2023 Clean School Bus Program Paperwork Submission Deadlines Approaching

If you are the recipient of rebates from the 2022 and 2023 Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program, there are deadlines coming up that you need to know about.

2022 Rebate Program Close-Out Form Deadlines

All 2022 rebate program selectees must fill out close-out forms by 4:00 p.m. EST on Oct. 31, 2024.

These are forms meant to be used by selectees that were awarded funding, received delivery of new replacement buses, and — if applicable — related electric bus charging infrastructure, and appropriately scrapped, donated, or sold their old buses.

EPA will consider extension requests for the close-out form on a case-by-case basis and may grant extensions if sufficient justification is provided.

You're asked to use the 'Change Request Form' in the Applicant Dashboard to submit your extension request, including the justification for the extension and the date by which you anticipate being able to submit your close-out form. 

Email that paperwork to cleanschoolbus@epa.gov. Extension requests are due to the EPA by 4:00 p.m. EST on Oct. 1, 2024.

EPA expects to review and approve/deny all deadline extension requests by Oct. 24, 2024.

Any questions about clean school bus deployment topics, such as school bus basics — electric, propane, and CNG — charging equipment, utility connections, bus performance, and operational considerations like routing and maintenance, can be directed to the Joint Office at CleanSchoolBusTA@nrel.gov for free assistance with working through these questions.

In closing out your projects, communicate with all applicable project stakeholders — bus operators, school districts, vendors, applicant organizations, etc. — and make sure all final project details are accurately accounted for in the close-out form. Any changes to the project, including changes to purchased technology, must be documented.

Be sure to pay close attention to all 2022 Rebate Program requirements regarding bus scrappage found in the 2022 CSB Rebate Program Guide. You're asked to review scrappage requirements and request approval for alternative scrappage methods, if desired, by emailing the CSB Helpline.

2023 Rebate Program Payment Request Form and Close-Out Form Deadlines

All 2023 rebate program selectees must submit payment request forms by 4:00 p.m. EST on Nov. 29, 2024. These are forms for selectees that were awarded funding and now want to request a rebate payment for new replacement buses and related electric bus charging infrastructure.

The EPA will review submitted Payment Request Forms as quickly as possible.

Where applicable, selectees in the same geographic area are encouraged to combine their vehicle and EV charger orders into bulk orders to help benefit from economies of scale and lower shipping costs. You can find a list of 2023 selectees in your geographic area on the Clean School Bus Program Awards page.

As with 2022 rebate recipients, 2023 recipients can reach out to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation with questions on clean school bus technology by emailing CleanSchoolBusTA@nrel.gov for free assistance.

You can review all requirements for the payment request form in Section 8 of the 2023 rebate program guide.

If you need a payment request form extension, you must submit a request for an extension on the payment request form due date; extension requests are due by Nov. 1, 2024.

The EPA will consider extension requests for the Payment Request Form on a case-by-case basis and may grant extensions if sufficient justification is provided.

Use the change request form in the Applicant Dashboard to submit your 2023 rebate program payment request form extension request, including the date by which you anticipate being able to submit your payment request form. 

2023 rebate close-out forms are due by May 29, 2026.