CLEAN DIESEL GRANT PROGRAM
South Dakota Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) & Volkswagen School Bus, Shuttle Bus, and Transit Bus Rebate Programs
DENR Continues Accepting Applications for Round Eleven
The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is continuing to accept applications for the eleventh round of funding under the South Dakota Clean Diesel Grant Program. Initially, there was approximately $274,000 of Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funds available for the projects. On March 5, 2019, the Governor signed HB1258, giving spending authority for the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust funds. With this, there is approximately $746,921 additional funding in round eleven available to applicants.
The program provides rebates to assist in purchasing new buses to replace old, high-emitting diesel buses. The primary goals of the programs are to reduce your school children’s exposure to both fine particulate and smog-forming pollution and to facilitate the improvement and protection of the ambient air quality throughout South Dakota. 
The South Dakota programs will provide rebates to help public schools, non-public schools, state special schools, approved educational programs, shuttle or transit system providers, and school bus contractors purchase new buses to replace old, high-emitting, diesel buses. Total rebate per replacement bus will be up to 25% of the purchase price of a 2018 engine model year or newer engine certified to EPA emission standards, 35% of the purchase price of a 2018 engine model year or newer engine certified to meet CARB’s Low-NOx standards, or 45% of the purchase price of an all-electric bus. DENR intends to award funds to as many eligible applicants throughout the state as possible.
Note: Funds cannot be used for replacements that would have occurred through normal attrition/fleet turnover within three years of the project start date. Bus purchases must not occur before applicants execute an agreement with DENR.
Tentative Schedule for October 2017 - September 2019
Date |
Activity |
November 6, 2017 |
Call for Round Ten Projects Opens |
December 15, 2017 |
Call for Round Ten Projects Deadline
|
December 18, 2017 - January 5, 2018
|
Evaluate & Select Round Ten Projects |
January 8, 2018 |
|
January 2018 - August 2018 |
Schools will purchase buses for Round Ten |
September 2018
|
Deadline for all invoices and paperwork to be submitted to DENR for Round Ten |
| November 5, 2018 | Call for Round Eleven Projects Opens |
| December 14, 2018 | Call for Round Eleven Projects Initial Deadline |
| December 17, 2018 - January 11, 2019 | Evaluate & Select Initial Round Eleven Projects |
| January 14, 2019 | Round Eleven Initial 11 Projects Posted. Email rebate agreements to 11 highest ranking applicants. |
| Week of March 18, 2019 | Round Eleven Next 19 Projects Posted. Email rebate agreements to the remaining 19 applicants meeting initial deadline. |
| Week of March 18, 2019 | Reopened Round Eleven for additional project applications |
| April 5, 2019 | Deadline to submit additional applications. |
| Week of April 8, 2019 | Announce Round Eleven Additional Projects. Email rebate agreements to the recipients. |
January 2019 - April 2019 |
All recipients will order buses and email DENR copies of purchase orders. |
| September 2019 | Deadline for all invoices and paperwork to be submitted to DENR for Round Eleven |
FORMS (Note: If the Word document does not open for you, try the save option instead.)
- Guidelines and Applications (PDF) or (DOCX)
- Checklist for School Bus Replacement Application (PDF) or (DOCX)
- School Bus Replacement Application (PDF) or (DOCX)
- Request for Reimbursement Form (PDF) or (DOCX)
- Certificate of Disposal Form (PDF) or (DOCX)
- Example Disposal Photos (PDF) or (DOCX)
Additional information about the Program is available by emailing the Program Administrator at barb.regynski@state.sd.us or calling the Program Hotline at 1-800-GET-DENR (1-800-438-3367).
Round Eleven rebate applications are due by 5:00 PM on April 5, 2019.
Email appications to barb.regynski@state.sd.us or mail applications to:
Bus Rebate Programs
SD DENR AQ Program
523 E Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
Information on Oct 2009 - Sept 2012 Grant Period
Information on Oct 2012 - Sept 2014 Grant Period
Information on Oct 2014 - Sept 2017 Grant Period