66.045: Clean School Bus Program

66.045

Active

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Aug. 30, 2022

Aug. 30, 2022

Title XI, Section 71101 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (or The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or (BIL), Public Law 117-58 amended section 741 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16091) to authorize EPA’S Clean School Bus Program to award grants, contracts, and rebates for the replacement of existing school buses with clean school buses and zero-emission school buses. BIL appropriates $ 5 billion for the program over five Federal fiscal years (FY 22-26). The objective of this assistance is, to the maximum extent practicable, achieve nationwide deployment of clean school buses and zero-emission school buses and to ensure a broad geographic distribution of awards. The CSB Rebates will fund the replacement of existing school buses with cleaner buses that result in better air quality on the bus, in bus loading areas, and throughout the communities in which they operate. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2022: Under 42 U.S.C. 16091(b)(2), EPA shall award 50 percent of available funding to replace existing school buses with zero-emission school buses and 50 percent of the available funding to replace existing school buses with clean school buses and zero-emision buses. Under 42 U.S.C. 16091(b)(3), for awards, EPA “Shall take into account the following criteria but shall not give preference to any individual criterion: lowest overall cost of bus replacement; local conditions, including length of bus route and weather conditions; technologies that most reduce emissions; and whether funds will bring new technologies to scale or promote cost parity between old technology and new technology.” In funding grants, rebates, and contracts under this program, 42 U.S.C. 16091(b)(4)provides EPA may give priority to projects which take place in: high need school districts; tribal schools; and rural areas or low-income areas. Priority may also be given to applicants that propose to complement the assistance received through the award by securing additional sources of funding for the activities supported through the award, such as through public-private partnerships; grants from other entities; or issuance of school bonds.

Eligible recipient means 1 or more local or State governmental entities responsible for providing school bus service to 1 or more public school systems or the purchase of school buses; an eligible contractor; a nonprofit school transportation association; or an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.5304)), Tribal organization (as defined in that section), or tribally controlled school (as defined in section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C.2511)) that is responsible for providing school bus service to 1 or more Bureau-funded schools (as defined in section 1141 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021)) or the purchase of school buses. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Owners of eligible school buses. Both publicly owned fleets and privately owned fleets may benefit, but private fleets may be limited in their ability to apply directly for funds.

https://sam.gov/fal/ff25af4dfa764745b46db7b125b59214/view