Zero Emission School Bus Grant Program Authorization

The Washington State Department of Ecology (Department) must offer grants for the replacement of diesel school buses with zero emission school buses within the Clean Diesel Grants program. By June 1, 2025, the Department must submit a report to the governor and the legislature that provides a status update and a summary of recommendations and implementation considerations.

Additionally, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (Office) must adopt rules to establish a formula to calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) for zero emission and diesel school buses. Using this formula, once the TCO of a zero-emission school bus is at or below that of a diesel school bus, school districts may only receive funding to purchase zero emission school buses.

(Reference House Bill 1368, 2024 and Revised Code of Washington 28A.160.195 and 28A.160.140)