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The Air Resources Board held a conference call with the air
districts, school districts, vendors and the public on June 24,
2009, to discuss the status of the Lower-Emission School Bus
Program (LESBP).  The LESBP has had an infusion of funds to
restart the program, provided by recent bond sales conducted in
April.  With the restart of the program, ARB held the conference
call to provide information about the restart and what to expect
in the near future.  Several topics were discussed during the
call.  Staff has summarized these topics in the following text:

1)       On December 18, 2008, the Department of Finance issued
Budget Letter, 08-33, directing all agencies with bond funded
programs to cease work on these programs.  ARB issued a letter to
the air districts on December 23, 2008, directing them as such. 
There was an infusion of $83 million into the LESBP from two
separate bond sales in April.  Bond revenues were distributed on
certain criteria:  all pre-1977 buses to be replaced first,
provide funding for contracts executed prior to the stop work
notice, and then the remainder of the funds were distributed
based on air quality need.  Please go to the following link for
more information: 
http://www.arb.ca.gov/bonds/gmbond/docs/2009_05_20_external_prop_1b_funds_distribution.pdf
.  Future funds will be distributed on criteria developed at that
time, until such point all air districts have received full
funding amounts from original LESBP allocations.

2)       Staff has drafted letters that are with the executive
office to be mailed to the air districts which will inform the
districts that are receiving funding to restart their LESB
programs.

3)       The second installment (April 28) of bond funds (Build
America Bonds) allows for the replacement of old buses with the
purchase of new buses, allows for the purchase and installation
of retrofits, including electrical outlets for some active
devices, allows for the purchase of cleaning machines and
alternative fuel infrastructure, but DOES NOT allow for the use
of funds for administration costs, and DOES NOT allow for the
costs associated with maintenance contracts for devices or buses.
 Future funding may have other rules, so when new funds are
received, ARB will provide guidance at that time.

4)       Staff is currently developing an advisory to update the
program requirements for these funds.

5)       Please go to the following link for LESBP contact
information:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/bonds/schoolbus/contact/contact.htm or call
Lynsay Carmichael at (916) 322-0407 or email at
lcarmich@arb.ca.gov .




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