Diesel Emissions Reduction
Act (DERA) and Clean School Bus Rebate Programs (Revision)
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Emergency
04/05/2022
03/30/2022
Requested
Previously Approved
6 Months From Approved
04/30/2022
4,000
707
17,287
2,945
0
0
The Diesel Emission Reduction Act
program (DERA) authorized by Title VII, Subtitle G (Sections 791 to
797) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58), as
amended by the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2010 (Public Law
111-364) and Division S (Section 101) of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260), codified at 42
U.S.C. 16131 et seq. DERA provides the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) with the authority to award grants, rebates or
low-cost revolving loans on a competitive basis to eligible
entities to fund the costs of a retrofit technology that
significantly reduces diesel emissions from mobile sources through
implementation of a certified engine configuration, verified
technology, or emerging technology. Eligible mobile sources include
buses (including school buses), medium heavy-duty or heavy
heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, locomotives, or nonroad
engines or diesel vehicles or equipment used in construction,
handling of cargo (including at port or airport), agriculture,
mining, or energy production. In addition, eligible entities may
also use funds awarded for programs or projects to reduce
long-duration idling using verified technology involving a vehicle
or equipment described above. The objective of the assistance under
this program is to achieve significant reductions in diesel
emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced and reductions in
diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets operating in
areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas.
EPA uses approved procedures and forms to collect necessary
information to operate a grant program, and has been providing
grants under DERA since Fiscal Year 2008 and rebates since Fiscal
Year 2012. This information collection includes forms needed to
collect necessary information to operate a rebate program as
authorized by Congress under the DERA program. EPA is revising the
ICR to address the needs of the Clean School Bus (CSB) Program.
This program is authorized by Title XI, Section 71101 of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58). The new
program, like DERA, allows for rebates and grants for school bus
replacement projects that reduce emissions. EPA will collect
information from applicants who wish to apply for a rebate under
DERA or CSB. Information collected from applicants will ensure that
they are eligible to receive funds, that funds are provided for
eligible activities, and to satisfy the reporting requirements of
DERA and CSB.
The Clean School Bus
(CSB) Program allows EPA to fund the replacement of school buses
with cleaner buses via grants, rebates, and contracts. The program
is authorized by Title XI, Section 71101 of the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58). This ICR is necessary
to ensure that only eligible entities will receive funds under the
rebate portion of this program and that funds are only provided for
eligible activities per the CSB legislation. The information
requested on the Rebate Application, Payment Request, and Close Out
forms is needed to ensure the activities are completed in
accordance with program guidance. In addition, the information is
necessary to ensure fiscal control and accountability for EPA funds
and to deter waste, fraud, and abuse. The ICR is also necessary for
EPA to meet the statutory reporting requirements that include the
number of applicants, quantity and award amount of rebates,
location of awards, and the criteria used to select recipients for
the CSB program. EPA is requesting an emergency approval of this
ICR because delays to this funding opportunity to follow normal ICR
procedures will result in delayed replacement of old polluting
school buses that impact children’s health. The CSB statute also
includes the following deadline: “Not later than 120 days after
November 15, 2021, the Administrator shall develop an education and
outreach program to promote and explain the award program under
this section.” EPA is seeking to open the program for accepting
applications close to that education and outreach deadline and
needs an ICR for this process.
US Code:
42
USC 16131 Name of Law: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of
2010
There is an increase of 14,342
hours in the annual estimated respondent burden compared with the
approved ICR. The revised total respondent burden of 17,287 hours
reflect a 487% increase in burden compared to the previous 2018
estimate of 2,945 hours. This change is the result of a significant
increase in the expected number of annual responses in the new
Clean School Bus Program.
$35,158
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Jason Wilcox 202
343-9571
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form 5600-260 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) - Private Applicants
Emergency Request Justification 2060-0686.pdf
2461ss05.docx
Clean School Bus Rebate Program