EPA Awards To Replace Older Diesel School Buses

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $8.7 million to replace or retrofit 452 older diesel school buses. The funds are going to 141 school bus fleets in 32 states.  Each of the school districts will receive rebates through EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding.

Applicants replacing buses with engine model years of 2006 and older will receive rebates between $15,000 and $20,000, depending on the size of the bus. Applicants also had the option of retrofitting school buses with engine model years between 1994 to 2006 with a diesel oxidation catalyst, closed crankcase ventilation system, and fuel operated heater to reduce toxic emissions.

Since 2008, the DERA program has funded more than 700 clean diesel projects across the country, reducing emissions in more than 70,000 engines.  The most recent awards include $745,000 to school districts in Missouri, $640,000 to districts in Kansas and $180,000 to Nebraska school districts. 

A comprehensive list of the 2017 DERA school bus recipients can be found at https://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-rebates