Clean diesel grant program offers $310,000 toward new school buses

The annual grant program began with the first awards in 2008.

(Story Courtesy of Our Friends At Kentucky Today)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Applications are now being taken by the state Energy and Environment Cabinet for the 2022 Kentucky Clean Diesel Grant Program, which will provide $310,643 toward reducing diesel emissions by replacing aging school buses in Kentucky.

All Kentucky public school districts and private schools that own and operate school buses are eligible to apply for funding through this grant program, which will reimburse up to 25% of the total cost of the purchase of a replacement school bus. Districts and schools that are grant recipients are responsible for the remaining 75%.

“Let’s make it a priority to replace these older buses,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “By reducing diesel school bus emissions and improving air quality, we’ll be protecting the health of our most valuable resource, our children.”

Diesel exhaust contains a mixture of fine particles, nitrogen oxides and more than 40 hazardous air pollutants. These pollutants have a negative impact on human health, especially for children who have a faster breathing rate than adults and whose lungs are not yet fully developed.

“This is an excellent opportunity and I encourage Kentucky school districts to take advantage of it,” said Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca W. Goodman.

Priority will be given to awarding grants to applicants that are in an area not meeting current air quality standards, proposals that achieve the most cost-effective emission reductions, and applications that demonstrate the greatest reductions in emissions.

In 2021, school districts in Breathitt, ​Trigg, and Washington counties as well as the Corbin and Owensboro Independent School Districts used the funds to replace older-model diesel school buses, with new diesel buses that will emit 98% less particulate matter and 90% less nitrogen oxide than the ones they are replacing.

“This program will make it easier for school districts to replace older, more polluting buses with newer, cleaner ones,” said Division for Air Quality director Michael Kennedy. “Not only do our communities benefit from cleaner air, but so do bus passengers, since exhaust is often pulled into the vehicle cabin when doors are opened.”

The application deadline is Nov. 4, 2022, and successful applicants will have until September 30, 2023, to complete their projects.  To apply, or for more information, visit the Division for Air Quality’s website at https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Air/Pages/Clean-Diesel-Grant-Program.aspx.