Applications due Oct 16, 2015

Megan Ottesenmottesen@oed.in.gov317-232-8944www.in.gov/oed

This is the first time OED has offered grants specifically for propane school buses

The funds come from the US Dept of Energy and from the State

OED seeks to increase IN school’s access to affordable and reliable energy◦ Propane tends to be cheaper than diesel or

gasoline◦ Fuel diversification protects schools long-

term from fuel price shocks◦ Propane burns more cleanly than diesel,

which lowers maintenance costs and reduces children’s exposure to harmful emissions

Max $300,000 available for the PSB program

Max amount per school: $50,000 

Will fund the incremental cost between buying a new propane bus instead of buying a new diesel or gasoline bus ◦ Max amount per bus is $10,000 ◦ If your incremental is $9k, OED will fund up to $9k ◦ If your incremental is $11k, OED will fund $10k

Minimum of two buses being purchased is needed to submit application

Vehicle miles driven annually per bus: For example, 2000 miles/year

Diesel gallons or gasoline gallons displaced annually: Example: 7 mpg 2000 miles/7 mpg = 285.7 gallons annually

Level of cost-share (match) provided by the grantee. OED will fund between 50% and 100% of the incremental costs

Demonstrated need for this project and how this project will impact the applicant’s school corporation

Applicant’s plan to educate its community and peers on its experience with the propane buses

Quality and clarity of application

You can apply for 100% incremental of the incremental costs, but match is encouraged. Extra points will be given to grants who provide some level of match, because this allows OED to spread its funds farther. ◦ Match can be the school corporation’s own funding,

or it can be another grant◦ If providing match, include a commitment letter

indicating amount of match per bus/total and the source of that match.

Explain why you chose to purchase propane school buses.

What need will the buses meet and how will they benefit the school, versus a more traditional diesel or gasoline powered bus?

reduced fuel cost; longer bus life, cleaner emissions, etc.

Explain how will the school corporation will promote the project to its community and other school corporations.

Examples include the following:◦ Community

Website page highlighting bus project School newsletters

◦ Other school corporations Speak on panels Work with Clean Cities and/or OED to do a case

study Motorweek segments

Bids NFPA 58 EPA certification:

http://www3.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/altfuels.htm#4

Propane Infrastructure

Provide bid on new propane school buses, including equivalent petroleum based bus cost

Show the cost differential between a propane bus and a diesel or gasoline powered bus

The bids must show the bus specifications, price, and vendor contact information

Proof that the engine of the new propane school bus is EPA certified◦ Download certification from EPA Site or request included in bid◦ http://www3.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/altfuels.htm#4

Proof that the propane system is installed according to NFPA 58 guideline◦ Letter from fuel system installer stating that all applicable LPG fuel

system codes for installation are met. Diagrams of fuel system can also help

Proof that the applicant will have access to propane fueling infrastructure◦ letter from propane dealer providing infrastructure, or ◦ letter from school stating they own propane

infrastructure, ◦ or copy of a bid for purchase or lease of infrastructure,

with a date indicating installation date

Applications are due October 16th at 5:00 ET. Email them and all supporting documents to grants@oed.in.gov

OED will announce the grant awards late Oct – early Nov. OED both email and snail mail the applicants

OED will send a contract to the chosen grantees. Grantees have 3 days to notify OED that they intend to accept the award.

Grantees can begin work on their projects immediately after receiving their contracts, which means they can order their buses in November. ◦ However, the state’s contracting process can take 45 days once the

grantee returns the contracts to OED, so grantees do bear the risk that their contracts will not be approved by the state. Since schools don’t pay taxes, they should have their contracts approved.

Invoices are due to OED by April 15, 2016.

Quarterly reports to OED will start in January and last one year: money spent, fuel savings, educational efforts, etc.

Applicants can contact their local Clean Cities Coalition for technical assistance. Clean Cities Coalitions are supported by the US Department of Energy and serve as a resource for fleets that seek to deploy alternative fuels and technologies.

Greater Indiana Clean CitiesKellie Walsh317.834.3754Kellie@greaterindiana.com www.greaterindiana.com

South Shore Clean CitiesCarl Lisek, Executive Director219-644-3690 info@southshorecleancities.orgwww.southshorecleancities.org

Megan OttesenOED Deputy Directorgrants@oed.in.gov

317-232-8944

Grant Webpage: http://www.in.gov/oed/2733.htm