Virginia proposal ties electric vehicle grants to outside funding

The proposal describes competitive grants for electric school buses and cleaner work vehicles. School bus projects may come from public school divisions or public, private, or nonprofit groups that have or expect to have a contract with a public school division. Other projects may come from public, private, or nonprofit groups in Virginia replacing diesel vehicles or equipment they own and use in Virginia. Grants could be awarded only from money available in the fund. No money could be allocated to the fund or program unless federal or other nonstate funds cover the full cost. When practical, school bus projects would receive priority over projects for other vehicles and equipment.

The proposal describes annual program reports from the Department of Environmental Quality to the General Assembly. The report would cover administration of the fund and program during the preceding fiscal year. Reports would count grants, replaced vehicles or equipment, and supported jobs, and include health or environmental effects when available. No report would be required if the fund and program receive no funding. The report would be due by November 1 each year.