Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Clean School Bus Program

Over the next five years, $5 billion will be made available, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to communities throughout the United States for replacement of diesel-powered school buses with zero-emission or clean, alternative-fueled school buses.  This funding, established under the Bilateral Infrastructure Legislation (BIL), is available to towns, nonprofit school transportation providers, tribal organizations and eligible contractors (those selling or providing financing for the purchase of zero-emission or clean school buses), and may cover up to 100% of the cost of zero emission buses and their charging infrastructure.  There is a focus on underserved communities, but the program is open to everyone. 

 

More information is available on this EPA fact sheet and flyer. Additional program information, including the Program Guide, is posted to https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus. A schedule of events related to the Clean School Bus Program including a list of upcoming presentations and recordings of past webinars is also available. If you are interested in learning more about this funding opportunity, we recommend signing up on the EPA listserv to be sure you receive all of the latest information.

 

Application Submission

Online Rebate Application Information: Clean School Bus Program | US EPA

Applicants will be required to have an active SAM.gov account to apply. For more information on how to obtain or reactivate an account please refer to these instructions.

 

Application Deadline

$500 million in federal funding is now available for the replacement of existing diesel school buses with electric and low-emission buses.  The first round of funding launched on May 20, 2022 with a deadline of August 19, 2022.

 
Associated Documents and Websites
 
DEEP Request for Information (RFI):

DEEP seeks information on the development of a Clean School Bus matching grant program.  Interested parties can provide input by responding to questions listed in the Request for Information (RFI). Please provide comments to DEEP.mobilesources@ct.gov with the subject “Response to Clean School Bus Request for Information" by Monday, July 11, 2022 at 5:00 PM. 

 
Contact

DEEP Mobile Sources Group: DEEP.MobileSources@ct.gov
EPA Region 1: Gary Rennie Rennie.Gary@epa.gov