Dec. 1, 2014 --The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has received numerous applications from Nebraska schools that are seeking funding 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.

Because the funds available for 2014 are limited, NDEQ had previously announced that it intends to award four reimbursements of up to $19,800, and that if more than four eligible applications were received, NDEQ would conduct a drawing to select the four recipients. Applications were accepted through Nov. 21, 2014.

The agency is announcing that a drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. December 4, 2014, at the NDEQ Lincoln Office, 1200 N St., Room 424.

The list of eligible applications is listed at the bottom of this page.

The public is welcome to attend the drawing. NDEQ will subsequently inform all applicants whether they were selected in the drawing to receive reimbursement, or where they ranked in the selection list. The results will also be posted in the NDEQ News section of the agency web site, https://dee.nebraska.gov/home.

Schools across the state were informed of this opportunity in October, and all K-12 schools (both public and private) were eligible to apply. The four rebates are to be used to help pay for replacement of 1991-2003 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 2013 or newer model year engine.

More information can be found by going to NDEQ’s web site and Selecting Publications/Air Quality, “2014 Clean Diesel School Bus Rebate Application and Instructions.” The direct web address is http://deq.ne.gov/Publica.nsf/pages/12-003.

List of Eligible Applicants

Mead Public Schools
Yutan Public Schools
Elkhorn Valley Schools
Falls City Public Schools
Banner County School
Bishop Neumann Central High School
Hitchcock County Public Schools
Aquinas-St. Mary's School
Potter-Dix Public School
Allen Consolidated Schools
Wahoo Public Schools
Raymond Central Public Schools
Superior Public Schools
Crete Public Schools
Johnson County Central Public Schools