Florida school districts have an opportunity to deploy compressed natural gas school buses through a grant program by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The FDACS announced the CNG School Bus Conversion Program earlier this month. Right now it is anticipated that $1.2 million will be available for the program, but the FDACS could adjust that amount depending on demand and other factors. The deadline to submit grant applications is July 1.
The funds can be used to convert an existing bus to run on CNG or help cover the incremental cost of purchasing a new CNG bus versus a comparable diesel unit. Buses purchased or converted through the program must be in service for the 2013-2014 school year.
The grants will range from $25,000 to $40,000 per vehicle, and school district fleets can be awarded no more than $500,000 in total. A minimum 25-percent cost-share, to be spent concurrently with the grant funds, is also required. The funds are awarded on a cost reimbursement basis.
The grant program would also act as a pilot program by tracking the cost and petroleum savings for a year. The tracked information will be made public as a resource for entities considering CNG conversions.
For more details about the program and to see all of the requirements, click here.
