The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a new, $9 million funding round for it’s Diesel Emission Reduction Program, which funds clean diesel projects that reduce pollution and emissions exposure from the nation’s existing fleet of diesel engines.
Under this funding, EPA anticipates awarding between 10 and 20 assistance agreements. Projects may include school buses, transit buses, heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, locomotives, and other diesel engines, though awards cannot be used to fund emissions reductions mandated under Federal law. A list of previously-funded projects can be found here.
Grant funds may be used for clean diesel projects that use:
- EPA verified retrofit technologies or certified engine configurations
- California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified retrofit technologies or certified engine configurations
- Idle-reduction technologies that are EPA verified
- Aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires that are EPA verified
- Early replacement and repower with certified engine configurations (incremental costs only)[/checklist]
Two general applicant webinars will be held, one on May 13 and the other on May 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. EST. Participants do not need to pre-register for the webinars. The links to the webinars and call-in information are available on the NCDC website.
The closing date for receipt of proposals is June 17.