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SEARCHA $125 million grant program to help Michigan school districts replace diesel buses is open for second round of applications.
Michigan schools have an opportunity to receive additional funding to replace diesel buses with electric or alternate fuel models.
Photo: Canva
The deadline for the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Clean Bus Energy Grant is coming up on October 12, 2024. All applications for the grant must be submitted by 8 p.m. ET to be considered for this round of the grant.
MDE partnered with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the Michigan Association of Pupil Transportation to make the $125 million program possible.
Public school districts can receive up to 70% of the cost for an electric school bus, charging station, and infrastructure. Schools interested in alternative fueled buses will be funded at a lower level.
High-need districts will also be prioritized, as the program examines criteria like income, environmental risk factors, and rural or indigenous populations. Additional funding is available for schools that meet these criteria, covering up to 90% of the total project costs.
To be eligible for the program, the replacement bus must serve a school district within Michigan and have been owned and operated by the entity for at least 24 months immediately prior to the date of application.
Buses with a model year of 2010 or older must be scrapped to ensure that it will not be operational. Buses with a model year of 2011 or newer may be scrapped sold, auctioned or donated to another district or entity.
Documentation including the Vehicle ID Number, model engine year, and copy of the bus title must be provided. In addition, all buses must be currently “green tagged” by state inspectors as cleared for operation.
Applicants should have the following pages filled out to be uploaded with the grant application:
Page 11 MI Clean School Bus Program School Board Awareness Certification
Page 12 MI Clean School Bus Program Utilities Awareness Certification
Page 13 MI Clean School Bus Program Scrappage Statement
Page 14-15 MI Clean School Bus Program Service Level Agreement
If funding remains after this round of applications, additional application rounds will occur.
Additional resources and FAQs can be found on the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation website. Full details of the grant can be found in the online program guide.
Applications opened initially on August 1.
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