EPA’s School Bus Rebate Program Returns

The agency is offering $20,000 per vehicle to replace older school buses and $6,000 for retrofits to reduce emissions.

Thomas McMahon・Executive Editor

September 28, 2017

EPA’s School Bus Rebate Program Returns — The EPA is offering $20,000 per vehicle to replace older school buses and $6,000 for retrofits to reduce emissions.

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The EPA is offering $20,000 per vehicle to replace older school buses and $6,000 for retrofits to reduce emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering a new round of funding — $7 million in all — to replace or retrofit older school buses.

In the 2017 School Bus Rebate Program, public and private fleet operators can apply for up to $20,000 per vehicle to replace older school buses and up to $6,000 per vehicle for retrofits to reduce emissions.

The total of $7 million for this year’s program includes up to $1 million for retrofits. This is the fifth round of rebates to fund cleaner school buses under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.

“Older school buses without emission reduction retrofits emit significant amounts of harmful exhaust, so participating in this program will help improve the health of students and other members of your community,” the EPA said in an announcement on Thursday.

The replacement rebates are for school buses powered by engines from model year 2006 or older. They have to be replaced by buses with a 2017 or newer engine.

The retrofit rebates are for school buses powered by engines from model years 1994 to 2006. They can be retrofitted with an EPA-verified diesel oxidation catalyst, with the option of adding a closed crankcase ventilation system and a fuel-operated heater.

The application period opened on Thursday and closes on Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. ET. A webinar for applicants is slated for Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. ET.

For more information, go here.

Topics:diesel emissions EPA Maintenance Management Alternative Fuels