The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is announcing that limited funding is available to replace older school buses with new buses that have certified cleaner burning engines. This funding is made possible by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s State Clean Diesel Grant program.

Schools across the state have been informed of this opportunity. Any Nebraska public or private school district/independent school system that offers primary or secondary education is eligible for this funding opportunity. Eligible recipients may receive $19,900 but no more than 25% of the total cost of the newer, cleaner bus powered by a 2013 or newer EPA or CARB certified engine. NDEQ expects to award six reimbursements in 2015; previous school bus rebate recipients are not eligible to apply for a rebate under this program.

The application deadline is December 11, 2015. If the number of eligible applications received exceeds the amount of funds available, NDEQ will conduct a drawing on Dec. 18, 2015 to determine the rebate recipients.

The applications can be found by going to NDEQ’s web site, https://dee.nebraska.gov/home and selecting Publications/Air Quality, “2015 Clean Diesel School Bus Rebate Application and Instructions.” The direct web address is http://deq.ne.gov/publica.nsf/pages/12-003