EPA Announces $11M in Funding for Clean Diesel Program

April 19, 2017

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of $11 million funds for the Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) to support projects aimed towards reducing emissions from the country’s existing fleet of older diesel engines.

For this program, EPA said it is anticipating between 20 and 80 awards offered to eligible applicants.

Qualified candidates include regional, state, local or tribal agencies, port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Nonprofit organizations may also be eligible if they provide pollution reduction or educational services to diesel fleet owners or have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality.

The proposal packages must be submitted electronically via grants.gov no later than Thursday, June 20, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. ET to be considered as an applicant.

Selected applicants will be notified from August to September of this with funding awards distributed between October and December.

Eligible diesel vehicles, engines and equipment for funding include:

School buses
Class 5 – Class 8 heavy-duty highway vehicles
Marine engines
Nonroad engines, equipment or vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo (including at ports and airports), agriculture, mining or energy production (including stationary generators and pumps)

Grant funds are available to be used for clean diesel projects including:

EPA verified technologies or certified engine configurations
California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified technologies or certified engines
Idle-reduction technologies that are EPA verified
Aerodynamic technologies and low resistance tires that are EPA verified
Early engine, vehicle, or equipment replacements with certified engine configurations

The funds awarded under this program cannot be used to fund emission reductions mandated by federal law. Equipment for testing emissions or fueling infrastructure are not eligible for funding.

The EPA will host two informative webinar sessions on May 2 and May 9 regarding the Request for Proposals. EPA said representatives will attempt to answer questions during the public forums. Registration is not required to view the webinar.