Another round of Clean Diesel Grant Program funding opens

The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources just started accepting applications for the fifth round of funding under the South Dakota Clean Diesel Grant Program. The program provides funds to assist schools in purchasing new public school buses to replace old, high-emitting diesel school buses, and to equip in-use diesel school buses with exhaust control retrofit devices that significantly reduce toxic soot emissions. The primary goal of the Program is to reduce your school children’s exposure to both fine particulate and smog-forming pollution.

There is no cost for the exhaust control retrofits. Eligibility for the retrofits includes any South Dakota public school district that directly provides transportation services. Total award per school district for a replacement bus will be approximately 25 percent of replacement cost and may be more depending on the number of successful applicants. Districts that have not received a replacement bus in previous rounds will have preference. DENR intends to award funds to as many eligible applicants throughout the state as possible.

The application deadline for round five is December 21, 2012. Click here for more information about the program, or contact the DENR Air Quality office at (605) 773-3151.