TRENTON, NJ – Trenton officials are asking for more money to jump start the state’s electric school bus program.
This proposed legislation authorizes the allocation of $15 million from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection in support of the Electric School Bus Program. The program was established in August 2022, mandating the DEP to develop and implement the Electric School Bus Program.
The DEP will distribute grants to eligible school districts and school bus contractors for the acquisition or leasing of electric school buses and the necessary charging infrastructure. As per the law, the DEP is required to offer $15 million in grants annually over the three-year program, subject to fund availability.
Consequently, this bill appropriates $15 million from the General Fund to the DEP for the first year of operation of the Electric School Bus Program. In accordance with P.L.2022, c.86, the DEP may allocate up to five percent of these funds to cover administrative expenses related to the program.
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