The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will accept applications from Iowa schools for rebates that will cover the cost of an electric school bus and related charging infrastructure. Applications are due Aug. 19, 2022 and will be accepted online at https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus. 

Eligible school districts given priority for this funding are rural, remote and distant schools; schools with more than 20% of the students from low-income households, and tribal schools. These priority schools are eligible to receive $395,000 per bus. In Farmers Electric territory, eligible school districts are: CAM, Earlham, Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton, I-35, Nodaway Valley, Orient-Macksburg and West Central Valley. 

The EPA application process is simple and straightforward, even for schools that have not previously applied for federal funds. While this is a “rebate” program, applicants will not have to produce money up front. Rather, the funds will be disbursed upon purchase order, not receipt of the bus. 

For application and more information, visit https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus.