Now Open: 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program

[Francisco A Tomei Torres]

EPA has announced the 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebate Program! This is the second rebate funding opportunity through the multi-year funding program. Under the 2023 Rebate Program, EPA anticipates awarding at least $500 million in rebate funding with the potential to modify this figure based on the application pool and other factors.

 

Eligible applicants can apply to receive funding for the purchase of up to 25 zero-emission (ZE) and/or clean school buses, along with ZE charging infrastructure and eligible workforce development costs. Selectees may be eligible for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits applicable to their bus and infrastructure purchases. For example, the Clean Vehicle tax credits for qualifying school buses are worth up to $40,000.

 

EPA is prioritizing applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, rural areas, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and public school districts receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land. In addition, EPA is committed to ensuring the CSB Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative that at least 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.

 

Applicants must submit all application materials via the online portal by January 31st, 2024, at 4 PM ET.

 

EPA plans to host a series of public webinars regarding this rebate funding opportunity from September through January to provide potential applicants with an overview of the program, relevant information, and available resources. The slides and recordings from today’s program launch webinar, as well as registration links for future webinars are posted to the Clean School Bus Webinars webpage.

 

Note: Eligible applicants can apply for all future funding opportunities under the CSB Program, regardless of whether they applied for and/or received funding under a past funding opportunity; however, they need to submit a new application for each funding opportunity. Potential applicants who made a SAM.gov account in the last year should verify it is still active ASAP. Accounts that have not been accessed in 365 days will go inactive. For SAM.gov assistance, contact the Federal Service Desk.