Nearly $2 million in funding from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is available for school bus environmental improvements.
The DEQ announced two funding programs designed to reduce vehicle emissions in the state and they total $1.8 million. Applications from school districts will be accepted until Jan. 13, 2023.
The Alternative Fuel School Bus program, funded by the Volkswagen State Environmental Trust, is offering approximately $1 million total towards the following project types:
- Replacement of Engine Model Year (EMY) 2009 or older Class 4-8 diesel school buses with new alternative fuel* buses
- Electric charging infrastructure, if applying for an electric bus replacement
*For the purposes of this program, alternative fuels include all-electric, propane (LPG), and natural gas (LNG or CNG).
This program could reimburse up to 75% of the cost of bus purchase.
The Clean Diesel / DERA program is offering approximately $800,000 towards the replacement of diesel school buses with EMYs of 2009 or older. Selected applicants could replace an old diesel school bus with a newer diesel or gasoline school bus with an EMY of 2019 or newer and get up to 25% of the cost reimbursed.
