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National Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program

This program fosters the deployment of innovative technologies through a national grant competition. To qualify as an emerging technology, a manufacturer must submit an approvable application and test plan for verification to EPA.

Available Funding

For fiscal year 2008, Congress appropriated funds for the first time under the Energy Policy Act (2005) to help reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines. Through the National Clean Diesel Campaign, EPA will award grants to assist its eligible partners in building diesel emissions reduction programs across the country that improve air quality and protect public health. For fiscal year 2008, the amount of funding for this program is approximately $3.4 million.

Emerging Technology's Request for Proposals (PDF) (23 pp, 174K)

Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program

The Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program is an opportunity to advance new technologies to reduce diesel emissions from the existing fleet. EPA is providing funding assistance to eligible entities to deploy diesel emission reduction technologies which are not yet verified or certified by the EPA or the California Air Resources Board (CARB). To qualify as an emerging technology, the manufacturer of the technology must be in the initial stages of the verification process with EPA or CARB and listed on EPA's Emerging Technology List.

Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. Even with EPA's more stringent heavy-duty highway and nonroad engine standards set to take effect over the next decade, millions of diesel engines already in use will continue to emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and air toxics, which contribute to serious public health problems.

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What is an Emerging Technology?

By law, an emerging technology is defined as a technology that is not certified nor verified by EPA or CARB but for which an approvable application and test plan have been submitted for verification. Technologies that have previously been verified or certified by EPA or CARB for a particular category of engines do not qualify as emerging, but may be eligible under the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.

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Application Process

The National Clean Diesel Campaign's technology verification process is explained at Diesel Retrofit Technology Verification. The application outlines the minimum information required. Information on CARB's verification process is available at California Air Resources Board Exit EPA Disclaimer.

If You are a Manufacturer

If You are an Eligible Entity

  • Assess your target fleet and determine the best technology available.
  • Partner with a manufacturer that has a qualified emerging technology.
  • Apply for funds under EPA's Emerging Technology Request for Proposals.
  • If funded, manage the project to completion.

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Test Plan

For EPA verification, test plans must be developed in consultation with EPA and in accordance with existing verification protocols. However, if there are no existing protocols applicable to a specific technology, a unique test plan may be developed. For CARB verification, manufacturers must comply with applicable California regulations. An approvable test plan will detail the following:

It is recommended that the test plan reflect the verification protocols where appropriate. In some cases, if the engine is unique (i.e. large or difficult to remove), a special test program may be necessary.

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Timeline

EPA is planning on opening the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Emerging Technologies Program in late spring of this year. Check this web site for deadlines and a link to the Request for Proposals.

Please note that only technologies on the Emerging Technologies List can be used in a project funded through Emerging Technologies grant program. In order to be placed on the list, manufacturers need to submit both an application and an approvable test plan. Manufacturers should contact EPA as soon as possible in order to be eligible as an Emerging Technology for FY 08. However, EPA will accept the application for the emerging technology at any time.

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Emerging Technology List

Prior to obtaining emerging technology status, the required application and test plan must be approved by EPA. Once a technology gains EPA approval it will be listed on EPA's web site. EPA expects that a technology may remain on the Emerging Technology List for approximately two years. During that two-year window, a manufacturer should be able to complete the necessary steps to obtain full verification. For the purpose of this program, once a technology is verified or certified, it will no longer be considered emerging.

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Partnership

Only eligible entities may compete for funding assistance under EPA's National Clean Diesel Program. Eligible entities are U.S. regional, State, local, tribal or port agencies or nonprofit groups related to transportation or air quality. School districts, federally recognized Indian tribes, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), cities and counties are all eligible entities under this program. Manufacturers of an emerging technology must partner with an eligible entity which is able to receive these Federal funds. EPA recommends that manufacturers establish this partnership early in the process, prior to the release of any EPA Request for Proposals, in order to complete the necessary steps in a timely manner.

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