School Bus CNG Tank Replacement
Incentive Program

 

School Bus Tank

 

 

Danny McQuillan, Air Quality Engineer (805) 303-3678
Heidy Yupe, Air Quality Specialist (805) 303-3655
Stephanie Lapeyre-Montrose, Supervising Air Quality Specialist (805) 303-3665



This program awards grants of up to $20,000 for each replacement of a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel tank on a school bus. School buses are typically operated for 25 years, but CNG tanks usually need to be replaced after 15 years.

Natural gas vehicles expose children and staff members to lower levels of cancer-causing and smog-forming pollution than gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles. Compared to diesel-powered vehicles, dedicated natural gas vehicles can reduce exhaust emissions of non-methane organic gases by 89%, carbon monoxide by 70%, nitrogen oxides by 87% and carbon dioxide by 15% to 20%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Application Form

Submit completed form and required documents to Danny McQuillan at danny@vcapcd.org.

 

Guidelines:

  • Model year of bus must be at least 14 years old.
  • Funding can be used for purchase and installation of tanks.
  • School districts that own their bus fleets, joint power authorities between school districts, and private contractors that provide transportation services to school districts can apply.
  • Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Application package must include the following for each bus requiring a new tank:
    o Completed grant application form
    o Copy of the California Highway Patrol Safety Certification (CHP Form 292)
    o Copy of DMV registration
    o Resolution from school district’s governing board or official with authority to make financial decisions approving the application submission and identifying the person authorized to implement the replacement
    o Dated and itemized quote for the cost of the tank and installation
    o Photos or other documentation showing existing CNG tank expiration date, serial number and CHP inspection dates
  • FAQ

 

Application tips:

  • Contact Danny McQuillan at danny@vcapcd.org or (805) 645-1432 to find out if funds are available.
  • Apply at least four months before tank expires to allow enough time for the application review and approval process before the bus becomes unsafe to operate.

 

History:

The district’s program is funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Lower-Emission School Bus Program, which was launched to distribute $50 million allocated by the state legislature to reduce school children’s exposure to toxic diesel particulate matter. The funds were initially used to purchase new diesel and natural gas-powered buses and particulate filters for existing diesel school buses.

 

In 2012, CARB expanded the program to include the use of vehicle registration fees to replace CNG fuel tanks on school buses. Since 2014, the district has provided grants to replace 18 tanks on four Ventura County school buses.