Texas Clean School Bus Program

The Texas Clean School Bus program is a comprehensive program designed to reduce emissions of diesel exhaust by retrofitting older school buses.

The Texas Education Agency reports that more than 40 percent of the school buses in local fleets are more than 10 years old. In the years since these vehicles were purchased, several advancements in vehicle and engine technology have helped reduce emissions from school buses, which helps reduce air pollution.

• TCSB Program FAQ's (PDF)
• Download the TCEQ Clean School Bus Brochure
• Download the TCEQ About Diesel Exhaust from School Buses Brochure

Applicants

• How Do I Know If I Am Eligible for a Grant?
• How Do I Find a Vendor?
• How Do I Apply for a Grant?
• Tools & Links
• TCEQ Contact Information

Reports and Information

• TCSB Active Project List through August 31, 2016 (PDF)

How Do I Know if I Am Eligible for a Grant?

This section lists general information about school districts, buses, and activities that may be eligible for grant funding. For complete information on the types of projects and expenses that may be eligible for grant funding, refer to the latest Request for Grant Applications (RFGA)and Addendum No. 1.

Eligible School Districts:

All public school districts and charter schools in Texas are eligible to apply for this grant. Private schools are not eligible for funding. Public school districts that lease buses are also eligible.

Eligible School Buses:

To meet the TCEQ qualifications, a school bus must:

• have an engine model year 2006 or older;
• have at least five years of useful life remaining, unless the applicant agrees to remove the retrofit device at the end of the life of the bus and reinstall it on another bus; and
• be used on a regular, daily route, to and from school

Eligible Technologies include:

The following eligible technologies offer options for cleaner-running school buses:

• Closed Crankcase Filtration System: A closed crankcase filtration system is a device that uses an air filter to trap particulate matter. When used in conjunction with some type of filtration system in the exhaust stream, these systems may be more effective at reducing children’s in-cabin exposures to pollutants.

• Diesel Particulate Filters: A diesel particulate matter filter (DPF) is a ceramic device that collects the particulate matter in the exhaust stream. The high temperature of the exhaust heats the ceramic structure and allows the particles inside to break down (or oxidize) into less harmful components. DPFs reduce emissions of particulate matter by 60 to 90 percent. DPFs also reduce emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide by 60 to 90 percent.

• Diesel Oxidation Catalyst: A diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) is a device that uses a chemical process to break down pollutants in the exhaust stream into less harmful components. More specifically, it is a physical device with a porous ceramic honeycomb-like structure that is coated with a material that catalyzes a chemical reaction to reduce pollution. DOCs reduce emissions of particulate matter by at least 20 percent. DOCs also reduce emissions of hydrocarbons by 50 percent and carbon monoxide by 40 percent.

Costs per device can range depending on the type of technology chosen. School-bus emissions decrease by as much as 90 percent when these engine or exhaust retrofits are made. All technologies must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencies list of verified technologies or the California Air Resources Board's list of verified technologies, or be a technology that the TCEQ commission finds will bring about significant emissions reductions.

Return to top

How Do I Find a Vendor?

The TCEQ and the Texas Comptroller have secured state pricing for the purchase and installation of retrofit technology. This information, including contact information for these vendors, may be found on the Texas Comptroller's website . A school district is not required to employ a vendor from this list, nor are they limited by this list of vendors.

Return to top

How do I Apply for a Grant?

Interested entities should review the Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) and Addendum No. 1 before completing and submitting the application forms.

Follow these steps:

STEP 1: Download a copy of the TCSB RFGA.

• Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) (PDF) and Addendum No. 1 (PDF): The RFGA is the formal announcement of funding opportunities under the TCSB program, and serves as a guide for determining project eligibility.

STEP 2: Review the RFGA to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements under the TCSB program.

STEP 3: Download the TCSB Grant Application Form.

• All applicants must download the TCSB Grant Application Form:

If using Excel, each section of the application form is on an individual Excel worksheet within the workbook. Use the tabs located at the bottom of the worksheet to access each form.

In order to print all the pages located in the workbook, please follow these directions:
(1) Click on “File” (2) Click on “Print” (3) Under the “Print What” section, select “Entire Workbook”

The TCEQ is committed to accessibility. If you would like to request a more accessible version of these documents, please contact the TERP program at 800-919-TERP (8377).

STEP 4: Download a copy of the W-9 Form.

The TCEQ requires applicants to complete the W-9 to certify their taxpayer identification number (TIN). The W-9 Form must be submitted with the Application Forms.

• W-9 Form- Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
  

STEP 5: Download a copy of the application instructions, and complete the application forms.

• Instructions for Completing your TCSB Grant Application

STEP 6: Submit the application forms to the TCEQ.

Application forms submitted via email will not be accepted. Applicants must electronically complete and submit via regular or express mail two (2) original copies (signed in blue ink) of the project application forms to:

Regular Mail
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Air Quality Division
Implementation Grants Section (TCSB), MC 204
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087

Express Mail
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Air Quality Division
Implementation Grants Section (TCSB), MC-204
12100 Park 35 Circle, Bldg. F
Austin, TX 78753

Return to top

Tools & Links

• Other Strategies to Reduce Bus Emissions: Schools can also adopt voluntary strategies to help reduce school bus emissions. These strategies can also help improve fuel economy. Consider these voluntary strategies:

  • Begin a voluntary idling limit for school buses (see this sample idling policy)
  • Start enhanced maintenance programs.

Return to top

Contact Information

Jessica Fleming
800-919-TERP (8377)
CleanBus@tceq.texas.gov

Return to top