Tag Archives: Grant

Grant Funding Available: Clean School Bus Program

Greetings Valued Educators,
The Houston-Galveston Area Council ‘s Clean School Bus Program is currently accepting applications to replace older buses with new, cleaner buses. There is no deadline; however, funding is very limited. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible. A maximum 10 buses will be replaced per application. School districts that have never applied for funding from H-GAC will be preferred in the application review process.
The goal of the Clean School Bus Program region is to reduce children’s exposure to diesel exhaust and reduce the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses. Clean School Bus Program aims to reduce pollution from buses through partners from business, education, transportation, and public health organizations. Our program noticed that many of our local school districts applied for grant funding through the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality’s Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program. Based on the limited funding ($10.5M allocated to Houston vs $21.5M requested), there will be many projects that will not be funded. We hope to provide those school districts that do not get Volkswagen funds, a chance to replace their buses. It is vital that our students, educators, and all those in between are able to breathe clean air.
Clean School Bus Program is serving the following counties: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller. These counties are currently in non-attainment for air quality for the air pollutant ozone.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Own vehicle(s) currently operating 75% of mileage in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB) ozone nonattainment area (Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties)
• Agree to destroy old chassis and engine with an H-GAC-approved salvage vendor
• Purchase brand new vehicle(s) similar in size and weight to the vehicle being destroyed
• Commit to continuing operating the new vehicle(s) at the same mileage as the old vehicle(s)
• Have site visits to view any and all vehicles under for consideration in the program
• NOT perform grant work (purchase, or destroy vehicles) without a contract with H-GAC
• Commit to reporting quarterly on mileage, fuel use, and maintenance information for 5 years after reimbursement
To apply, please visit our website. You can submit all questions and applications to CleanVehicles@h-gac.com. You can also give us a call at 713-993-2488.

Replace or repower your drayage truck or cargo handling equipment with a TERP Grant

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is preparing to open the Seaport and Rail Yard Areas Emissions Reduction Program, a grant program under the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Program. TCEQ will be has posted a workshop presentation for review.
The purpose of the SPRY program is to encourage individuals and entities operating at designated seaports and Class I rail yards in Texas’ nonattainment areas to replace or repower their older on-road vehicles, non-road yard trucks, or other cargo handling equipment with new models.
Applicants may be eligible for funding up to 80% of the cost to replace or repower eligible vehicles and equipment if, for at least two years preceding the submission date of the application, the applicant has:
  • Owned or leased the on-road vehicle, non-road yard truck, or other cargo handling equipment eligible to be replaced under the program; and
  • Operated the vehicle or equipment at one or more of the designated seaports or rail yards for a minimum of 200 days of operation per year for the preceding two years.
Designated seaports include terminals and facilities located in the Port of Houston (including the participating facilities of the Houston Ship Channel Security District), Port of Galveston, and Port Freeport.
Designated Class I rail yards include terminals and facilities located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Bexar County, Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area, and El Paso area.
Please share with anyone who might be interested.
For program opening information, sign up for email updates at www.terpgrants.org.
Have questions? Contact TCEQ toll-free at 800-919-TERP (8377) or by email at terp@tceq.state.tx.us.