The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced more than $10 million in funding opportunities through the Clean School Bus Programme. The funding is available to public school districts across the Commonwealth to replace diesel school buses with vehicles powered by cleaner fuels, including Autogas. This initiative accelerates the transition to greener vehicles, reduces harmful diesel air pollution and mitigates the effects of climate change.

“Replacing older diesel school buses improves air quality for students as well as the greater community,” said DEQ Director David Paylor. “By accelerating the transition away from diesel vehicles, the Clean School Bus Programme also helps meet the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals.”

Public school districts that previously received funds are also eligible to apply for additional funds. DEQ will award up to $300,000 per electric bus and charging infrastructure, and $15,000 per Autogas bus, to replace diesel school buses powered by a 2009 or older engine model year.

The announcement complements more than $10 million awarded in August to replace 83 diesel school buses in 19 districts, preventing the release of almost 10,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases and more than 100 tonnes of nitrogen oxides and diesel particulate matter. DEQ will hold two webinars on funding opportunities to provide additional details.

The funding is part of Virginia’s $93.6 million allocated in the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, which supports initiatives to reduce air pollution, such as the Clean School Bus Programme. For more information, please check this link.

27 October 2021