Toyota Motor Corporation is making $20 million of new funding available this fall to school districts interested in retrofitting school buses and purchasing ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel. The funds are being provided through an enforcement case settlement EPA negotiated last year with Toyota. Eligible applicants for Toyota's Clean Buses for Kids School Bus Diesel Retrofit Program include public school districts (as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) and government entities that own and operate a diesel school bus fleet. Funding can be used to purchase and install qualified diesel particulate filters on eligible school buses, and to offset the additional cost associated with purchasing ULSD fuel. The maximum funding available is $750,000 per entity and the minimum amount is $30,000 per entity. The cost of each retrofit is estimated to run between $6,500 and $7,500. Funds will be awarded through a lottery process, however, award priority will be given to those schools located in non-attainment areas. Areas of the country where air pollution levels persistently exceed the national ambient air quality standards may be designated "non-attainment." In addition, steps will be taken to ensure geographical diversity among grant recipients. An expression of interest form must be submitted to the program by November 12, 2004 to be eligible for an award of funding. To obtain additional information and to access forms, instructions and a list of important deadlines for the program, please contact Toyota by calling 1-703-934-3040 or visit Toyota's Clean Buses for Kids website at http://www.cleanbusesforkids.com<http://www.cleanbusesforkids.com/>. Neila Seaman, MPA Director Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 515-277-8868 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]