indiana propane school bus grant
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Applications due Oct 16, 2015
IN Propane School Bus Grant Webinar
Funding Summary:
The Office of Energy Development (OED) will offer
approximately $300,000 in grants to Indiana school
corporations to cover the incremental costs of
buying new propane school buses. The incremental
cost is the difference in price between a propane
bus and a diesel or gasoline bus. Applicants can
apply for 50% to 100% of the incremental costs, up
to $10,000. The maximum grant will be $50,000 per
award, but applicants can apply for a lower
amount. Applicant must apply for a minimum of two
school buses.
Indiana Clean Cities
CLEAN CITIES ORGANIZATIONS
focus on education, outreach and developingpartnerships to promote the use of alternative fuels and cleaner transportation strategies.
Our goal is to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gasemissions and lessen our dependence on foreign oil
DOE’s Clean Cities Coalitions Work to: Educate fleets, elected officials, and the general
public on petroleum reduction, the business case foralternative fuels, and air quality benefits
Encourage the use of alternative fuels &technologies
Expand alternative fuel infrastructure
Work to increase demand and help develop market-
driven options
Increase public awareness
Connect receptive organizations to grant
opportunities
South Shore Clean Cities9800 Connecticut DriveCrown Point, IN 46307
Carl Lisek, Executive [email protected]: (219) 644-3690
Greater Indiana Clean Cities6283 E. Centenary RoadMooresville, IN 46158
Kellie Walsh, Executive [email protected]: (317) 985-4380
Contact Us
This is the first time OED has offered grants specifically for propane school buses
The funds come from the US Dept of Energy and from the State
OED seeks to increase IN school’s access to affordable and reliable energy◦ Propane tends to be cheaper than diesel or
gasoline◦ Fuel diversification protects schools long-
term from fuel price shocks◦ Propane burns more cleanly than diesel,
which lowers maintenance costs and reduces children’s exposure to harmful emissions
Max $300,000 available for the PSB program
Max amount per school: $50,000
Will fund the incremental cost between buying a new propane bus instead of buying a new diesel or gasoline bus
◦ Max amount per bus is $10,000
◦ If your incremental is $9k, OED will fund up to $9k
◦ If your incremental is $11k, OED will fund $10k
Minimum of two buses being purchased is needed to submit application
Vehicle miles driven annually per bus
Diesel gallons or gasoline gallons displaced annually
Level of cost-share (match) provided by the grantee. OED will fund between 50% and 100% of the incremental costs
Demonstrated need for this project and how this project will impact the applicant’s school corporation
Applicant’s plan to educate its community and peers on its experience with the propane buses
Quality and clarity of application
You can apply for 100% incremental of the incremental costs, but match is encouraged. Extra points will be given to grants who provide some level of match, because this allows OED to spread its funds farther.
◦ Match can be the school corporation’s own funding, or it can be another grant
◦ If providing match, include a commitment letter indicating amount of match per bus/total and the source of that match.
Explain why you chose to purchase propane school buses.
What need will the buses meet and how will they benefit the school, versus a more traditional diesel or gasoline powered bus?
reduced fuel cost; longer bus life, cleaner emissions, etc.
Explain how will the school corporation will promote the project to its community and other school corporations.
Examples include the following:◦ Community Website page highlighting bus project
School newsletters
◦ Other school corporations Speak on panels
Work with Clean Cities and/or OED to do a case study
Motorweek segments
Bids
NFPA 58
EPA certification
Propane Infrastructure
Provide bid on new propane school buses, including equivalent petroleum based bus cost
Show the cost differential between a propane bus and a diesel or gasoline powered bus
The bids must show the bus specifications, price, and vendor contact information
Proof that the engine of the new propane school bus is EPA certified◦ Download certification from EPA Site or request included in bid
Proof that the propane system is installed according to NFPA 58 guideline◦ Letter from fuel system installer stating that all applicable LPG fuel
system codes for installation are met. Diagrams of fuel system can also help
Proof that the applicant will have access to propane fueling infrastructure◦ letter from propane dealer providing infrastructure, or
◦ letter from school stating they own propane infrastructure,
◦ or copy of a bid for purchase or lease of infrastructure, with a date indicating installation date
Applications are due October 16th at 5:00 ET. Email them and all supporting documents to [email protected]
OED will announce the grant awards late Oct – early Nov. OED both email and snail mail the applicants
OED will send a contract to the chosen grantees. Grantees have 3 days to notify OED that they intend to accept the award.
Grantees can begin work on their projects immediately after receiving their contracts, which means they can order their buses in November. ◦ However, the state’s contracting process can take 45 days once the
grantee returns the contracts to OED, so grantees do bear the risk that their contracts will not be approved by the state. Since schools don’t pay taxes, they should have their contracts approved.
Invoices are due to OED by April 15, 2016.
Quarterly reports to OED will start in January and last one year: money spent, fuel savings, educational efforts, etc.
Megan Ottesen
OED Deputy Director
317-232-8944
Grant Webpage: http://www.in.gov/oed/2733.htm