AIR QUALITY
IN SOUTH DAKOTA

CLEAN DIESEL GRANT PROGRAM

South Dakota Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) & Volkswagen School Bus, Shuttle Bus, and Transit Bus Rebate Programs

DENR Announces Round 13
The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announces Round 13 of funding under the South Dakota Clean Diesel Grant Program. There is approximately $491,757 of Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funds, $327,838 of VW category 10 DERA funds, and $90,278 of VW category 2 bus funds available for the projects and any remmaining funds from Round 12. *Note - a project funded with DERA funds cannot also be funded with any other federal funds including CARES Act funds.

The program provides rebates to assist in purchasing new buses to replace old, high-emitting diesel buses. The primary goals of the programs are to reduce your school children’s exposure to both fine particulate and smog-forming pollution and to facilitate the improvement and protection of the ambient air quality throughout South Dakota.

The South Dakota programs will provide rebates to help public schools, non-public schools, state special schools, other educational programs, shuttle or transit system providers, and school bus contractors purchase new buses to replace old, high-emitting, diesel buses. Total rebate per replacement bus will be up to 25% of the purchase price of a new bus with an engine certified to EPA emission standards, 35% of the purchase price of a new bus with an engine certified to meet CARB’s Low-NOx standards, or 45% of the purchase price of a zero tailpipe emissions bus. DENR intends to award funds to as many eligible applicants throughout the state as possible.

Tentative Schedule for October 2019 - September 2021

Date Activity
November 4, 2019 Call for Round 12 Projects Opens
December 13, 2019 Call for Round 12 Projects Deadline
December 16, 2019 - January 10, 2020 Evaluate & Select Round 12 Projects
January 15, 2020 Round 12 Selected Projects List. Email rebate agreements to selected applicants.
January 2020 - April 2020 Recipients will order buses and email DENR copies of purchase orders.
September 2020 Deadline for all invoices and paperwork to be submitted to DENR for Round 12
November 2, 2020 Call for Round 13 Projects Opens
December 11, 2020 Call for Round 13 Projects Deadline
December 14, 2020 - January 8, 2021 Evaluate & Select Round 13 Projects
January 13, 2021 Round 13 Selected Projects List. Email rebate agreements to selected applicants.
January 2021 - April 2021 Recipients will order buses and email DENR copies of purchase orders.
September 2021   Deadline for all invoices and paperwork to be submitted to DENR for Round 13

  • Guidelines and Applications | PDF or DOCX
  • Checklist for Bus Replacement Application | PDF or DOCX
  • Bus Replacement Application | PDF or DOCX
  • Request for Reimbursement Form | PDF or DOCX
  • Certificate of Disposal Form | PDF or DOCX
  • Example Disposal Photos | PDF or DOCX

Additional information about the Program is available by emailing the Program Administrator at barb.regynski@state.sd.us or calling the Program Hotline at 1-800-GET-DENR (1-800-438-3367).

Round 13 rebate applications are due by 5:00 PM on December 11, 2020.

Email applications to barb.regynski@state.sd.us or mail applications to:
Bus Rebate Programs
SD DENR AQ Program
523 E Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501