The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality announced 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 are being informed of this opportunity, and all K-12 schools (both public and private) are eligible. Eligible recipients may receive $24,630 as reimbursement for the replacement of 1990-2004 engine model year school buses that are still part of their active fleet with a new school bus powered by an EPA or CARB certified 2012 or newer model year engine. NDEQ expects to award three reimbursements in 2013.

The application deadline is November 15, 2013. If the number of eligible applications received exceeds the amount of funds available, NDEQ will conduct a drawing on Nov. 22, 2013 to determine the rebate recipients.

Over 45,000 Nebraska school children ride in school buses annually; at least one-half of those buses are older than 10 years. Many of these children are exposed to a disproportionate amount of diesel exhaust which can place them at greater risk for the harmful effects of the pollutants in the exhaust. New school buses with EPA certified 2012 engines will reduce diesel emissions by an average of 78%.

The applications can be found by going to NDEQ’s web site, https://dee.nebraska.gov/home and Selecting Publications/Air Quality, “2013 Clean Diesel School Bus Rebate Application and Instructions.” The direct web address is http://deq.ne.gov/Publica.nsf/pages/12-003.