Diesel Engine School Bus Retrofit Technology Workshop: Grants and Funding

1. Diesel Engine School Bus Retrofit Technology Workshop: Grants and Funding April 29, 2004 Carol A. Febbo U.S. EPA – Region3 215-814-2076

2. Clean School Bus USA Grants • $5 million to EPA for CSB grants in 2003 and an additional $5 million is available for 2004. • 2003: General McLean School District, Erie North Allegheny County School District, Pittsburgh • $’s intended for projects that demonstrate a variety of approaches to reduce school bus emissions through retrofit or replacement

3. Clean School Bus USA Grants • EPA has not solicited new applicants for 2004. • Will select from applications received in 2003 (this was outlined in the grant solicitation). • Pool includes 96 applications/requests totaling almost $55 million.

4. CSB Grants (continued) • Decisions will be based on same set of criteria as 2003. • This will be an expedited process with announcement of awards in early summer. • Hope is to support a diverse set of demonstration projects across the country.

5. Additional Funding Opportunities • Sub-grant program under the National School Transportation Association www.nsta.org. • SEPs – Over 4 million under VEPCO; proposed $20 million under Toyota Motor Corporation – pending. • Look for additional state/local SEP agreements/ for potential funding sources.

6. VEPCO-Funded Projects • Virginia Electric Power Company is funding numerous diesel school bus retrofit projects in Region 3. • These projects meet criteria in the settlement to involve fleets in diverse areas and areas with poor air quality. • These projects advocate the use of engine retrofit technology, replacement with cleaner engines, the use of cleaner fuels and strategies that will reduce engine idling:

7. SEP Projects (continued) • School District of Philadelphia (PA): $63K to convert one refueling depot to ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel to service 123 buses and subsidize the cost differential of fuel for one year. • North Penn School District (PA): $151K to subsidize the cost differential of ULSD for the entire fleet of 136 buses for two years and to install PMFs or DOCs.

8. School Bus Projects . . • Montgomery County Schools (MD): $300K to subsidize the cost differential of ULSD at the Bethesda depot and to retrofit model year 2000 buses with DOCs. • Prince George’s County Schools (MD): $200K to retrofit model year 2000 and newer buses with DOCs and reprogram ECMs on appropriate buses.

9. School Bus Projects . . • Anne Arundel County Schools (MD): $84K to retrofit model year 1998 and newer buses with DOCs and reprogram ECMs on appropriate buses. • Fairfax County School District (VA): $1 million to retrofit 285 buses with DOCs and reprogram ECMs on same buses.

10. School Bus Projects . . • Roanoke County Public Schools (VA): $275K to retrofit 100 buses with DOCs. • Roanoke City Schools (VA): $250K to retrofit 100 buses with DOCs. • Frederick County Public Schools (VA): $400K to retrofit 125 buses with DOCs.

11. School Bus Projects . . • Winchester Public School District (VA): $70K to retrofit 18 buses with DOCs and reprogram ECMs on 6 buses. • Virginia Beach and Norfolk City Schools (VA): $680K to expand the use of CNG buses and infrastructure. Purchase 11 CNG buses. Upgrade or build new CNG refueling site in VA Beach.

12. School Bus Projects . . • Henrico County Public Schools (VA): $300K to retrofit 100 buses with DOCs. • Berkeley and Jefferson County Schools (WV): $150K to retrofit 68 model year 1997 buses and newer DOCs.

13. Allegheny County Health Department • Penn Hills School District (PA): $185K from county’s Clean Air Fund to retrofit up to 75 school buses with DOCs and to perform "pre-and post retrofit installation" verification testing of 10 buses.

14. President Bush Requests $65 Million for CSB USA • Dollars would become available after Congress finalizes and the President signs. • Grant dollars will be provided to replace pre-1991 school buses with new clean school buses offering state-of-the-art emission control and safety features and to retrofit post-1990 school buses with similar advanced emission controls. • The $65 million is a thirteen-fold increase over 2004 funding levels.

15. Tomorrow's Technology for Today's Engines, Retrofit Conference 2004 • EPA, the Diesel Technology Forum, and the Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association are joining together to present this conference on June 3-4 in Washington, D.C. • Brings together government officials and leaders in the diesel engine, fuels and emissions control industry to highlight past successes and identify future opportunities. • The Marriott at Metro Center - registration is free. Visit www.cleanfleetsusa.net/index.html

16. What Can School Districts Do Now? • Notify EPA of your interest now by providing your contact information. • Describe the kind of program you would like to implement. • Talk to verified technology vendors about the technology that might be right for your fleet. • Visit www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/retroverifiedlist.htm

17. You Can Prepare by . . • Checking the Clean School Bus USA web site at http://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus and federal grants website at http://www.grants/gov. • Assessing your school bus fleets by compiling records of vehicle and engine models; ages; annual mileage, etc. • Identifying local resources that could be used to satisfy matching fund requirements such as local or state funding and/or private sector contributions.

18. Take Action Now • Reduce school bus idling time to a minimum. • Train drivers to avoid caravanning. • Put the newest, cleanest buses in your fleet on the most active routes. • Check the web site regularly for information and ideas.

19. EPA’s Goal • To upgrade every diesel school bus in the nation by 2010. • Committed to helping all school districts secure funds to retrofit or replace their aging fleets. • Call or email me with your questions: • Carol Febbo, U.S. EPA, Region 3, 215-814-2076, febbo.carol@epa.gov. • Visit CleanSchoolBusUSA@epa.gov.