INDIANA — The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) announced that Indiana public school corporations that own their own buses can begin applying for a share of $150,000 through the OED’s 2016 Indiana Propane School Bus (PSB) grant program.

This is OED’s second grant round specifically dedicated to propane school buses. Schools can benefit from propane school buses in a variety of ways, including decreasing schoolchildren’s exposure to harmful emissions, lowering maintenance costs through the use of a cleaner burning fuel and increasing fuel diversity.

“We’re excited to open applications for this propane school bus grant program,” said OED Director Tristan Vance. “Projects such as these can reduce costs, improve fueling options and utilize domestic energy resources.”

Applications for the 2016 PSB grant program can be mailed to [email protected] beginning today through Oct. 19. Program guidelines are available at online.

The winning recipients will receive between 50 percent to 100 percent of the incremental cost difference between a new propane-powered school bus and a diesel or gasoline-powered school bus. OED intends for winning recipients to track their miles driven, fuel usage and cost savings for one year after the buses are first put in use. This data can help the recipients and their communities and peers to better understand their fueling options.

PSB projects must involve the purchase of a minimum of two new propane school buses. Applicants must have access to propane fueling infrastructure or show that they will have access if they are awarded a grant. OED expects applicants to demonstrate their need for this project and how this project will benefit the applicant’s school corporation. While cost sharing of the incremental cost is not a requirement for applicants, Vance said special consideration is given to applications that leverage additional funding or for those which have in-kind funding.

Those selected to receive a 2016 PSB will be notified by letter and email at the end of November 2016.