2023-2025 Zero Emission School Bus Grant Program

The Washington State Department of Ecology has announced the Clean Diesel Program to help schools in Washington reduce toxic and greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fueled school buses by scrapping and replacing old buses with new zero emission buses. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Ecology State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding for this grant solicitation is provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation in support of an early action grant program to provide expedited funding for the replacement of fossil fueled school buses with zero emission school buses (ESHB 2134 2024). This grant opportunity is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-andinvest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Goals  The objectives of this grant program are to:  Reduce diesel pollution and greenhouse gases from Washington’s oldest school buses Reduce diesel pollution and greenhouse gases for economically disadvantaged children Improve air quality in overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution  Accelerate the transition of Washington’s fossil fueled school bus fleet to zero emissions Grant awards also align with the state’s objectives under the:  Washington Clean Air Act  Washington GHG emission reduction limits (70.235 RCW)  Washington Fuel Usage Goals for Publicly Owned Vehicles (43.19.648 RCW)  Washington State Clean Energy Fund  Results Washington Clean Transportation and Healthy Air Goal  State and local government vehicle procurement rules (194-28 and 194-29 WAC)  Washington Climate Commitment Act  Washington’s Healthy Environment for All Act Funding Information Approximately $20,000,000 is available for eligible projects.  Funding level 1: Applicants with a FRPL percentage greater than 95% or are a Rural Low-Income LEA Funding up to 100 percent of the replacement cost of a fossil fueled school bus with a new zero emission school bus. There is no limit on the number of buses an applicant may request. Ecology will award up to three (3) bus replacements per applicant per selection round. Up to $75,000 for the cost of charging or fueling infrastructure per replacement bus. Funding level 2: Applicants with a FRPL percentage 50%-94% or is an SLEA Funding up to 115 percent of the difference between zero emission and fossil fueled replacement. There is no limit on the number of buses an applicant may request. Ecology will award up to ten (10) bus replacements per applicant per selection round. Up to $75,000 per replacement bus for the cost of charging or fueling infrastructure. Funding level 3: Applicants with a FRPL percentage below 50%  Funding up to 100 percent of the difference between zero emission and fossil fueled replacement. There is no limit on the number of buses an applicant may request. Ecology will award up to ten (10) bus replacements per applicant per selection round. Up to $50,000 per replacement bus for the cost of charging or fueling infrastructure. Eligible Projects  An eligible project is the scrap and replacement of fossil fueled school buses with new zero emission school buses, including charging or fueling infrastructure needed to charge or fuel the new zero emission school buses. School buses being scrapped must be:  Powered by fossil fuels such as diesel, gasoline, propane autogas, or natural gas.  Owned by the applicant  Licensed, registered, and insured for on-road operation in Washington for at least one (1) year prior to August 15, 2024  Replaced with a new zero emission school bus. Fuel-operated passenger heaters are allowable optional equipment. Eligibility Criteria This solicitation is open to school bus owners that transport students to K-12 schools identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). For more information, visit Washington State Department of Ecology.