Provision for School Bus Emission Reduction Grants

A pilot program will be established within the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources to provide grants towards the required 20% state funding match for the federal Safe Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), specifically for diesel school bus retrofits or repowers that reduce particulate matter emissions. Any repowering or replacement of existing diesel engines in school buses must meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2007 Heavy-Duty Highway Diesel Standards. (Reference North Carolina General Statutes 143-215.107E, F, and H)