Nov. 18, 2013 --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 2013 are limited, NDEQ had previously announced that it intends to award three reimbursements of $24,630, and that if more than three eligible applications were received, NDEQ would conduct a drawing to select the three recipients. Applications were accepted through Nov. 15, 2013.

Because NDEQ received numerous eligible applications, the agency is announcing that a drawing from all of the eligible applicants will be held at 10:30 a.m. November 22, 2013, at the NDEQ Lincoln Office, 1200 N St., Room 424.

Updated information, Nov., 20, 2013: The list of eligible applications is listed at the bottom of this page.

The public is welcome to attend the drawing for the grant recipients. NDEQ will subsequently inform all applicants of their position in the drawing to receive reimbursement, and the results will also be posted in the NDEQ News section of the agency web site (https://dee.nebraska.gov/home). If a selected grant recipient is unable to fulfill the terms of the grant, the reimbursement opportunity will be given to the next eligible school that was selected.

Schools across the state were informed of this opportunity in September, and all K-12 schools (both public and private) were eligible to apply. The three $24,630 reimbursements are to be used to help pay for replacement of 1990-2003 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 2012 or newer model year engine.

More information can be found by going to NDEQ’s web site 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

 

Update, Nov. 20, 2013 -- List of Eligible Applicants

Below is a list of the 21 eligible applications received by NDEQ:

Allen Consolidated Schools
Auburn Public Schools
Banner County School
Bishop Neumann Central High School
Blair Community Schools
Brady Public Schools
David City Public Schools
Dundy County Stratton Public Schools
Elm Creek Public Schools
Gothenburg Public Schools
Hampton Public School
Hayes Center Public Schools
Johnson County Central Public Schools
Louisville Public Schools
McCook Public Schools
Newman Grove School
Norfolk Catholic School
North Bend Central
Oakland-Craig Public Schools
Osmond Community Schools
Schuyler Community Schools