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Idling Reduction:
Innovative Funding and Incentive Opportunities
Various federal, state, and nonprofit organizations provide funding that can be used for the reduction of emissions from long-duration truck and locomotive idling.
Idling control devices save fuel and may have quick payback periods. Visit our SmartWay Technology Package Savings Calculator to see how you may save money using idling control devices.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs
- Department of Transportation (DOT) programs
- Department of Energy (DOE) programs
- State programs
Environmental Protection Agency
Occasionally EPA issues grants to states and non-profit organizations to demonstrate truck and locomotive idle reduction technologies. To date, EPA has funded the demonstration for both on-board and off-board idle reductions technologies for projects in the following states: Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington.
The first-of-their-kind grants will conserve fuel and reduce emissions by deploying a wide variety of idle reduction technologies on trucks and at truck stops across the nation. EPA expects direct benefits of the grant program to include:
- 15 million gallons of diesel fuel savings
- $45 million in reduced fuel costs
- 3,000 tons of nitrogen oxide emission reductions
- 70 tons of particulate matter emission reductions
- 125,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission reductions
In addition the grants will spur deployment of idle-reduction technologies that yield even greater indirect benefits as their use becomes more widespread.
The grants are being awarded to the following entities:
- Texas A&M Research Foundation - $3,000,000 for "Truck Engine Idle Reduction Technology Demonstration Program"
Texas A&M will use grant funding to: 1) develop a methodology for choosing the best sites for idle reduction technologies; 2) create a map of high-priority areas for truck stop electrification; and 3) deploy and evaluate truck stop electrification units at several truck stops and at one port. - Ohio Department of Development - $500,000 for "Ohio and Midwest Truck Stop Electrification Corridors Demonstration, Evaluation, and Development Project"
The Ohio Department of Development will evaluate optimal locations to deploy "truck stop electrification" in the State of Ohio, and deploy and study the technology in at least one location. - Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority (Oregon) - $500,000 for "Everybody Wins - Phase II"
Lane County will install and evaluate 250 Auxiliary Power Units (APU's) in long-haul tractor-trailer trucks with sleeper cabs that haul freight along the I-5 corridor, primarily in Washington, Oregon and California. This project is designed to serve the needs of the independent owner-operator and the small fleet by providing no-interest loans to finance the cost of the APUs. - American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) - $500,000 for "Demonstration of Integrated Mobile Idle Reduction Solutions"
ATRI will demonstrate and evaluate mobile idle reduction technologies on about 100 trucks, either installed as part of the manufacturing process or before the truck goes into service. - North Carolina State University (NCSU) - $500,000 for "Truck Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Prep Kit Design and Installation"
NCSU will work with fleet operators, technology vendors, and truck manufacturers to design installation kits for after-market purchase auxiliary power units (APUs).
For a list of currently open grants, see EPA's grants funding web site at http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html
- Office of Transportation and Air Quality's (OTAQ) previously funded programs.
The following EPA OTAQ programs support idle reduction efforts:
- SmartWay Transport Partnership (a collaborative voluntary program between EPA and the freight industry that will increase the energy efficiency and energy security of our country while significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases): http://www.epa.gov/smartway/.
- Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program (a voluntary program that supports retrofitting of heavy-duty diesel engines manufactured prior to 2007, including idle reduction technologies): http://www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit.
- Clean School Bus USA (voluntary program to reduce both children's exposure to diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses): http://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus.
- It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air (a unique public education and partnership-building initiative developed collaboratively by several federal agencies to help regional, state and community efforts to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution) http://www.italladdsup.gov
Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT has several financial assistance and innovative finance programs.
- Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement program (provides funds to state DOTs, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit agencies to invest in projects that reduce regulated criteria air pollutants from transportation-related sources. This program has funded several idle-reduction projects throughout the country and there are several applications pending for future CMAQ-funded idle-reduction projects): http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cmaqpgs/
index.htm - Section 129 Loans (allow states to use regular federal-aid highway apportionments to fund loans for projects with dedicated revenue streams): http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovativefinance/
- State Infrastructure Banks (provide revolving infrastructure investment funds for surface transportation projects that are established and administered by states): http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovativefinance/sib.htm
- Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (allows DOT to provide direct credit assistance to sponsors of major transportation projects): http://tifia.fhwa.dot.gov/
Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE traditionally funds research and development grants and contracts for idle reduction technologies. DOE also supports deployment projects under both the FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies and the Clean Cities programs. The following is a list of potential funding sources:
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (provides funding opportunities for advanced vehicle technology projects that are aimed at removing technical and cost barriers): http://www.eere.energy.gov/office_eere/
solicitations.html - National Association of State Energy Officials (allows states and territories and the federal government to better collaborate on energy research, development, demonstration and deployment): http://www.naseo.org/stac/default.htm
- Small Business Innovations Project (supports high-quality research or research and development of advanced concepts for important mission-related scientific or engineering problems and opportunities that are likely to lead to significant public benefit if successful): http://www.er.doe.gov/sbir/
- Clean Cities Program (assists public and private partnerships that deploy alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and build supporting infrastructure including idle reduction technology): http://www.ccities.doe.gov/
States
- California
Carl Moyer Program: (provides funds to support the incremental cost of cleaner diesel engines and equipment.) http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/moyer/moyer.htm - Oregon
Oregon Pollution Control Facilities Tax Credit Program: (offers taxpayers who own diesel trucks a 35% tax credit for purchasing and installing diesel emission control equipment, including idle reduction technologies.) http://www.deq.state.or.us/msd/taxcredits/txcp.htm
Oregon's Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority purchased 100 auxiliary power units (APUs) to install on diesel trucks on the I-5 corridor. The APUs can be purchased through a low interest loan agreement. For more information contact Sharon Banks, phone: (541) 736-1056 (extension 215), email: sharon@lrapa.org. - Pennsylvania
Small Business Advantage Program: (provides up to 50% matching grants, to a maximum of $7,500, to enable small Pennsylvania businesses to adopt or acquire energy efficient or pollution prevention equipment.) For questions, contact Dave Barnes, Office of Energy and Technology Development, Small Business Ombudsman's Office, phone: (717) 783-8411, email: epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us. Applications can be found at Pennsylvania's Small Business Advantage Grant Program