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Ohio
In 2006 a Clean School Bus Fund was created in a state budget bill to provide funding for diesel retrofits in the state of Ohio. During its first year the program is expected to provide $1 million funded from polluter penalties collected from Ohio EPA’s enforcement actions. Funds can be used to retrofit public school district buses or those owned by commercial companies that are contracted to provide district transportation In September 2005, New Jersey enacted a new Diesel Risk Reduction Law, which sets the framework for a program to control particulate matter from diesel-powered mobile sources. 25 services. Grant awards can range from $5,000 to $100,000, but must be have a 5 percent local match. Priority is given to districts in non-attainment areas.
The first nine awards, totaling approximately $425,000, were announced in June 2006. Additional applications will be accepted in September 2006 and March 2007. More information on this program is available at: www.epa.state.oh.us/ oeef/html/schoolbus.html.
In addition to the school bus program, the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill in the fall of 2006, which was subsequently signed by the Governor, creating a statewide Diesel Emissions Reduction Program.17 The program is consistent with section 793 of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Program in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and includes two funds in the state treasury: the Diesel Emissions Grant Fund and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Revolving Loan Fund. Both funds consist of money appropriated to them by the General Assembly, grants obtained from the federal government under section 793, and other grants, gifts, or contributions. As of this writing, no state funds have been appropriated for the program, but in light of Ohio’s serious air quality challenges, there is likely to be pressure on appropriators to do so in the next legislative session.
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