For Immediate Release:  November 9, 2022

Contact:  Erin Hatfield, (405) 437.8468

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is pleased to announce the availability of funding from two programs, the Oklahoma Clean Diesel Program (DERA) and the Alternative Fuel School Bus Program, to be spent towards reducing vehicle emissions in the state.  Each program will offer funding for different types of projects.

The Alternative Fuel School Bus program, funded by the Volkswagen State Environmental Trust, is offering approximately $1 million towards the following project types:

• Replacement of 2009 or older Class 4-8 diesel school buses with new alternative fuel* buses
• Electric charging infrastructure, if applying for an electric bus replacement

 *For the purposes of this program, alternative fuels include all-electric, propane (LPG), and natural gas (LNG or CNG).

This program could reimburse up to 75% of the cost of bus purchase. To find more information on the Alternative Fuel School Bus Program, please visit: https://www.deq.ok.gov/air-quality-division/volkswagen-settlement/alternative-fuel-school-bus-program/ or email questions to: VWSettlement@deq.ok.gov

The Clean Diesel / DERA program is offering approximately $800,000 that can be used towards the replacement of EMY 2009 or older Class 5-8 diesel school buses with new 2019 or newer diesel or gasoline buses. This program could reimburse up to 25% of the cost of bus purchase. For more information on the Clean Diesel / DERA program, please visit https://www.deq.ok.gov/air-quality-division/clean-diesel-dera/ or email cleandiesel@deq.ok.gov

Funding applications for both programs will be accepted through January 13, 2023. To find more information on these funding opportunities, visit https://www.deq.ok.gov/air-quality-division/air-grants-funding-programs/.

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