The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
In the case of eligible recipients identified under clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall establish timely and appropriate requirements for notice and may establish timely and appropriate requirements for approval by the public school systems that would be served by buses purchased or retrofit using grant funds made available under this section.
The term “retrofit technology” means a particulate filter or other emissions control equipment that is verified or certified by the Administrator or the California Air Resources Board as an effective emission reduction technology when installed on an existing school bus.
The term “ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel” means diesel fuel that contains sulfur at not more than 15 parts per million.
The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary and other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, shall establish a program for awarding grants on a competitive basis to eligible recipients for the replacement of, retrofit (including repowering, aftertreatment, and remanufactured engines) of, or purchase of alternative fuels for, certain existing school buses. The awarding of grants for the purchase of alternative fuels should be consistent with the historic funding levels of the program for such purchase.
In the case of grant applications to replace school buses, the Administrator shall give priority to applicants that propose to replace school buses manufactured before model year 1977.
In the case of grant applications to retrofit school buses, the Administrator shall give priority to applicants that propose to retrofit school buses manufactured in or after model year 1991.
All school buses acquired or retrofitted with funds provided under this section shall be operated as part of the school bus fleet for which the grant was made for not less than 5 years.
New school buses and retrofit technology shall be maintained, operated, and fueled according to manufacturer recommendations or State requirements.
The Administrator may award grants under this section for up to 100 percent of the retrofit technologies and installation costs.
Not later than 90 days after August 10, 2005, the Administrator shall develop an education outreach program to promote and explain the grant program.
The outreach program shall be designed and conducted in conjunction with national school bus transportation associations and other stakeholders.