The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is accepting applications through mid-December for $500,000 available through the Clean Fuel Vehicle Grant and Loan Program.

According to a guidance document released on Oct. 15, the program covers the cost of converting vehicles such as school buses to a cleaner burning fuel or the purchase of a new vehicle. In the case of the latter, the new vehicle may not exceed half the cost of the project, minus the amount of the tax credit received. The full set of eligible projects include converted vehicles, retrofits, and refueling equipment dispensing clean fuels; hybrid electric vehicles are not eligible.

The minimum award is $5,000 with the maximum set at $100,000.

The program offers money for both grants and loans. Applicants seeking loans for refueling equipment are eligible for up to 100 percent of the project cost, minus any tax credit. DEQ said awards for applicants applying for both grant and loan funds will not exceed the actual cost of the approved project, minus the amount of any tax credit claimed.

Applications are due Dec. 15. The final day to submit questions on the program to DEQ is Dec. 1, with Dec. 7 being the final day answers are posted.