Reliable Electric Charging for Eligible School-Bus Sites (RECESS)

The California Energy Commission administers the Clean Transportation Program, a statewide initiative originally authorized under Assembly Bill 118 and reauthorized through 2035 to accelerate the deployment of alternative fuels and zero-emission transportation technologies. Through this program, the Commission periodically releases competitive and non-competitive funding opportunities to support infrastructure and technology that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. The Reliable Electric Charging for Eligible School-bus Sites (RECESS) solicitation represents one such effort, focused specifically on enabling the transition of school transportation fleets to zero-emission electric buses by addressing a critical infrastructure gap. The purpose of this grant opportunity is to provide funding for the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support electric school buses across California. The program makes up to 22 million dollars available through a multi-lane structure designed to accommodate different applicant types and project readiness levels. Funding is divided into three lanes: a first-come, first-served lane for certain previously funded school bus recipients lacking infrastructure support, and two competitive lanes for local educational agencies and third-party transportation providers. These projects must demonstrate the ability to install new grid-connected charging ports that directly support existing or planned electric school bus deployments. Allowable uses of funds include the purchase and installation of charging equipment, electrical infrastructure upgrades, engineering and design, networking and maintenance agreements, and certain zero-emission distributed energy resources if funding remains after core infrastructure costs are covered. Costs such as vehicle procurement, labor overhead, and charging-as-a-service models are explicitly excluded. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, making this a fully funded opportunity for eligible expenses. However, applicants must comply with strict technical standards, operational requirements, and long-term maintenance commitments, including a minimum six-year operational period for installed infrastructure. Eligibility varies by funding lane but broadly includes California-based local educational agencies such as public school districts, charter schools, county offices of education, and joint powers authorities, as well as third-party transportation providers serving these entities. Applicants must demonstrate ownership or access rights to project sites, ensure projects are located within California, and confirm that infrastructure will be used primarily for electric school buses. Additional eligibility constraints include limits on the number of active related projects an applicant may hold and requirements for organizational registration with the California Secretary of State where applicable. Applications must be submitted through the Energy Commission Agreement Management System (ECAMS), and applicants are required to create accounts and upload all required attachments before submission. Required components include an application form, project narrative (for competitive lanes), budget forms, letters of commitment, documentation demonstrating need for infrastructure, and environmental compliance materials. The evaluation process differs by funding lane, with first-come, first-served awards in one lane and competitive scoring in others based on project readiness, cost effectiveness, and community benefits, particularly for disadvantaged populations. Key dates include a release date of April 6, 2026, a question submission deadline of April 27, 2026, and a final application deadline of June 5, 2026. A pre-application workshop was held on April 16, 2026, to assist applicants. Award notifications are anticipated in August 2026, with final approval occurring at a California Energy Commission business meeting later in the year. Funded projects are expected to be completed within approximately 36 months of agreement execution, including a required data collection period. Applicants must coordinate closely with utilities, complete environmental review processes within strict timelines, and meet all regulatory and technical requirements to maintain eligibility and secure funding.

Ensure strong demonstration of project readiness including permitting and CEQA progress; provide clear and realistic timelines for deployment and bus utilization; emphasize cost effectiveness and benefits to disadvantaged communities; coordinate early with utilities to avoid delays