All project requirements must be completed and
all rebate documentation must be submitted by August 30, 2018.
Use the information provided here and the downloadable forms listed above to plan and complete your 2017 Nebraska Clean Diesel Program School Bus Rebate project.
REIMBURSEMENT TIMELINE: By August 30, 2018, the selectee must:
- Accept delivery of the new bus;
- Scrap the old bus in accordance with the program requirements described below; and
- Submit the Request for Reimbursement Form, the Final Report Form, Certificate of Destruction, and all required supporting documentation once the new bus has been received.
ELIGIBLE REPLACEMENT BUSES
- School buses with EPA- or CARB-certified 2017 or newer model year engines. Diesel engines must be equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The replacement school bus may operate using conventional diesel (ULSD) or alternative fuels (e.g. natural gas, propane, etc.) or with battery or hybrid drivetrains.
- The replacement school bus must be in the same weight class and operate in the same manner as the original school bus. If the horsepower of the new bus exceeds the horsepower of the old bus by more than 25%, prior approval by NDEE and EPA Region 7 must be obtained before purchasing the new bus.
- The new bus cannot be used to expand the applicant’s current fleet; it must replace a bus that is currently operational and in use.
- If selected for an award, the rebate recipient must maintain ownership of the new school bus for at least three years from the date of purchase. If the new bus is sold before the end of the three-year period or used for purposes other than what is allowed under this program, the rebate recipient may be required to return up to the full amount of the rebate to NDEE. The amount required to be returned is at the discretion of NDEE, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
TIME FRAME FOR ORDERING A NEW BUS
The time between placing an order and the delivery of a new school bus can vary greatly. In recent years some districts that ordered an in-stock bus received delivery within one month. However, a bus that must be manufactured to order may require three to four months for delivery. Please consult your dealer early in the project year to determine the delivery timeframe for a bus that meets your specifications. Please place your bus order as early as is practicable to ensure that you can complete your replacement project within the allotted time.
NDEE RECOMMENDS ORDERING YOUR NEW BUS NO LATER THAN MARCH 2018.
SCRAPPAGE REQUIREMENTS
The old bus being replaced must be scrapped (permanently disabled) prior to submission of the reimbursement request to NDEE. Scrappage consists of:
- Cutting, drilling, or punching a 3” by 3” hole completely through the engine block.
- Cutting completely through the chassis frame rails on either side between the front and rear axles.
Scrappage may be completed by the rebate recipient, by a salvage yard, or by a similar service, provided all scrappage requirements have been met and all necessary documentation is provided. Alternative scrappage methods require approval from NDEE and EPA Region 7. Equipment and vehicle components that are not part of the engine or chassis may be salvaged from the bus being replaced (e.g., seats, tires, etc.). The engine and chassis may be sold for scrap metal, provided that the bus is disposed of in accordance with federal and state requirements for vehicle disposal. Salvage proceeds may be retained by the rebate recipient, but must be reported to NDEE as program income.
SCRAPPAGE DOCUMENTATION
The following documentation of scrappage is required and must be submitted prior to or with the reimbursement request.
U.S. EPA Diesel Emission Reduction Program Certificate of Engine/Chassis Destruction signed by the party responsible for dismantling the vehicle, and including:
- The name and address of the dismantler
- Identification of the old vehicle and engine including model year, VIN, and engine serial number
- The dates the vehicle was accepted and scrapped by the dismantler.
Photographs (with labels or explanatory captions) of:
- Side profile of the old bus clearly showing that the bus has been disabled;
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN);
- The engine label that includes:
- Engine serial number;
- Engine family identifier;
- Chassis frame rails cut in half between the front and rear axles;
- Engine block prior to hole being cut;
- Engine block showing the 3” by 3” hole; and
- Other photos as needed.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR REIMBURSEMENT
After you have received the new bus and have scrapped the old bus, you must submit the following documentation to receive reimbursement:
- Request for Reimbursement Form (download from link above);
- Photo of the new vehicle engine label ;
- Copy of purchase order;
- Copy of paid invoice;
- Copy of proof of payment (e.g., cancelled check front and back, credit card payment receipt, or bank statement showing that the check was cashed);
- Scrappage documentation (see above), and
- Final Report Form (download from link above).
SUBMITTING YOUR REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST
Reimbursement requests may be submitted electronically by e-mail or in hard-copy by mail. Reimbursement forms and documentation may be assembled into a PDF file for easy e-mail submission.
For electronic submission, please e-mail to:
Randy.smith@nebraska.gov
For hard-copy submission, please mail to:
Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate Program
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
1200 N Street, Suite 400
Lincoln NE 68509-8922
Questions? Email us at NDEE.AirQuality@nebraska.gov
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