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.