Emergency Review Request

MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Emergency Review Justification for the Clean School Bus Rebate Program Information
Collection Request (OMB Control Number 2060-0686; EPA ICR Number 2461.05)
FROM: Karl Simon, Director
Transportation and Climate Division
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
THRU: Courtney Kerwin, Director
Regulatory Support Division
Office of Mission Support
TO: OMB Desk Officer for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Office of Management and Budget
Pursuant to section 3507(j) of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), as
implemented in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR §1320.13, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hereby requesting emergency processing of a proposed
information collection, the Clean School Bus Rebate Program.
Information Collection is Essential to the Mission of the Agency
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.
Information Collection Activities Involved in this Emergency Request
While pursuing this emergency approval, EPA is simultaneously incorporating CSB rebates into a
non-emergency ICR renewal for a similar school bus rebate program under the Diesel Emissions
Reduction Act (DERA) following the standard clearance process. That ICR renewal (OMB Control
No. 2060-0686, EPA ICR No. 2461.04) is unlikely to be finalized in time to accommodate the start
of the CSB rebates. The draft supporting

statement associated with that ICR renewal is provided and includes a more thorough outline of data
items that would also be applicable to this emergency request.
As a summary, information collected by EPA includes:
1. Name, address, contacts, and other high-level information from the eligible entities applying for
funding
2. Name, address, and contacts, and other high-level information for the school districts served by the
buses
3. Name, address, and contacts, and other high-level information for any private fleets that own and
operate the buses
4. Vehicle identification numbers, model year, mileage, and related information on the buses being
replaced
5. Vehicle identification numbers, model year, mileage, price, and related information on the new
replacement buses and their associated charging or fueling infrastructure
6. Documentation on bus ownership, registration, purchase orders, and dispossession of old bus.
EPA Cannot Reasonably Comply with the Normal Clearance Procedures
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.
Agency Has Taken All Practicable Steps to Consult with Affected Parties in Order to Minimize
Burden
As part of the non-emergency ICR renewal referenced above, EPA contacted entities that had applied
in the past for rebates to replace school buses under DERA to receive feedback on their burden.
These entities are also potential beneficiaries of the new CSB rebates and their feedback is being
used to better reduce burden for both programs. One effort EPA is working on to reduce burden is a
webform solution rather than the PDF forms that have been used in the past.
Federal Register Notice
Current with the submission of this request, EPA will publish a notice in the Federal Register stating
that we are requesting emergency processing of this ICR.
Requested Approval Date
EPA requests that OMB please provide an approval/disapproval determination of this request to
collect information under an emergency clearance by April 5, 2022.
If you have any questions or need anything further, please contact Courtney Kerwin
([email protected]) or Jason Wilcox ([email protected]).