The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requests proposals from eligible applicants from private, public, and nonprofit sectors to partially fund new diesel, propane and natural gas school bus replacements in the State of Minnesota. The grant aims to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality and public health by removing older diesel buses from operation and replacing them with new, cleaner buses. Projects funded will: 1) reduce diesel emissions in Minnesota; 2) fund new school buses across Minnesota; and 3) fund a mixture of fuel technologies. The MPCA anticipates awarding approximately $630,000 in grants to replace old diesel school buses with new diesel, propane, or natural gas models. Grants under this RFP are funded by the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust agreement for reducing diesel emissions in Minnesota. The grants are administered under Minn. Stat. §116.03, subd.2. The funding is divided into two categories based on the location of vehicle operation. Proposed vehicle projects will be evaluated and awarded within their respective location category. 40% (approximately $252,000) of the funds are dedicated to replacing school buses that operate in Greater Minnesota 60% (approximately $378,000) of the funds are dedicated to replacing school buses that operate in the Twin Cities 7-County Metropolitan Area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties) If the amount listed for either category is not fully awarded, remaining funds will be awarded in the other category. The maximum award per school bus is $15,000, or $20,000 for school districts where 40% or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch. To see if a school district qualifies for a $20,000 grant, visit this webpage.
