The Texas
Clean School Bus Program offers funding and resources to Texas
schools for upgrades that reduce the emissions of diesel exhaust
from their school-bus fleets.
Funds for Upgrading School-Bus Fleets
Grants available through this program help schools purchase and
install emissions-reduction technologies. The program will award
$7.5 million to school districts and charter schools as
reimbursement for the cost of eligible projects that reduce
diesel-exhaust emissions.
Who is Eligible for Funding
Funding for school-bus retrofit projects is open to ALL public
school districts and charter schools in Texas that operate one or
more diesel-fueled school buses. Private schools are not
eligible for funding.
A diesel school bus proposed for retrofit must be used on a
regular, daily route to and from a school and have at least five
years of useful life remaining, unless the applicant agrees to
remove the retrofit device at the end of the life of the bus and
reinstall it on another bus.
Types of Technologies Available
Newer technology offers several options for cleaner-running
school buses, including these items:
Costs range from $800-$7,500 per device. School-bus emissions
decrease by as much as 90 percent when these engine or exhaust
retrofits are made.
To determine which devices are best suited for your school
buses, please check the Environmental Protection Agency's list of
vendors 
who sell retrofit devices.
How do I Apply for Grant Funding?
Grant Period: November 10, 2007, to February
29, 2008
Deadline: February 29, 2008 (for the Grant
Application and Agreement)
Get specific details by reading How
to Apply for a Texas Clean School Bus Grant (PDF), (Help with
PDF.) This document explains
the steps you need to take, the deadlines, and the forms you need
to complete.
See a list of forms to apply for
Clean School Bus grants.
Other Funding Opportunities
Vehicle Retrofits and Replacements: Texas Emissions
Reduction Plan (TERP) Grants
This TCEQ
program makes funding available to schools located in designated
counties through TERP grants, which could cover part of the
cost of purchasing a new school bus with better emission controls.
Money also is available for retrofit projects. Find out more about the TERP grants and how
your district might qualify.
Vehicle Retrofits: Supplemental Environmental Projects
(SEPs)
This TCEQ
program makes funding available in certain areas of the state where
SEP
third-party project administrators have agreed to participate in
clean school bus retrofit projects. The project administrators
receive the money, which comes from a portion of fines resulting
from enforcement actions for environmental violations.
Links to Other Sources
