The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is making more than $10 million in funding in its Clean School Bus Program available to school districts throughout the Commonwealth to replace diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives.

That's in addition to a similar amount awarded in August to replace 83 diesel school buses in 19 districts, which was expected to prevent the release of almost 10,000 tons of greenhouse gases and more than 100 tons of nitrogen oxides and diesel particulate matter.

The DEQ has scheduled two webinars on Oct. 26 and Nov. 4 to provide more details about the funding opportunities, which are made possible by the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2022.

"Replacing older diesel school buses improves air quality for students as well as the greater community," said David Paylor, DEQ director. "By accelerating the transition away from diesel vehicles, the Clean School Bus Program also helps meet the Commonwealth's clean energy goals."

Districts that previously received funds are eligible to apply again. The DEQ is set to award as much as $300,000 per electric bus and charging infrastructure, and $15,000 per propane bus, to replace diesel school buses powered by engines from 2009 or older model years.