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Recovery Act: SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) provides $30 million in new funding to support projects that reduce diesel emissions and maximize job creation and preservation through the creation of national, state or local innovative financial program(s). The Request for Applications (RFA) closed on April 28, 2009, and EPA is evaluating the applications. A separate competitive announcement for the FY 2009 National Diesel Emissions Reduction Program Appropriation funds will be issued later in 2009. Comprehensive information about the EPA's overall clean diesel program is available at National Clean Diesel Campaign.
- About the Program
- Request for Applications
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Information Session
- Eligibility
- Project Priorities
- Application Procedures, Forms, and Timeline
About the Program
The Recovery Act Funding for Clean Diesel: SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program is a competitive grant program that will support the creation of national, state or local innovative clean diesel financial programs, which maximize job creation and preservation. Innovative financial programs include those where the loan recipient receives a unique financial incentive (i.e., better than regular market rates or conditions) for the purchase of retrofitted vehicles or equipment.
Comprehensive information about the EPA's National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program is available at:Request for Applications
The Request For Applications (RFA) (PDF) (41 pp; 370K; April 28, 2009) for the Recovery Act Funding for the SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program is now closed.
Various tools and resources are available to help you prepare an application, including tips for successful projects and previously funded projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
A document containing Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) (68 pp; 260K; April 17, 2009) regarding this RFA is available. Questions should be submitted in writing to cleandiesel@epa.gov. Questions received by 5 p.m. on Friday will be posted in the FAQ document on the following Wednesday. The deadline for submitting questions in April 17 at 5 p.m. EDT.
Information Session
EPA hosted an information session March 31, 2009, about the Request for Application for the Recovery Act Funding under the SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program.
The video/audio file of the SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program web presentation (WMV) 
(39:00, 25M, March 2009) (You may need a viewer for this file.) is available for public download. (You will need to enter your e-mail address to download the file.) This web presentation (PDF) (21 pp, 140K, March 2009) is also available in PDF format.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. regional, State, local or tribal agencies or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality
- Nonprofit organizations or institutions that:
- represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets; or
- have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality
School districts, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), cities and counties are all eligible entities under this assistance agreement program to the extent that they fall within the definition above.
Eligible Diesel Emissions Reduction Solutions
The Recovery Act Funding for Clean Diesel: SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program provides funding to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines through a variety of strategies, including but not limited to:
- exhaust controls
- engine upgrades
- cleaner fuel use
- idle reduction technologies
- aerodynamic technologies
- low rolling resistance tires
- engine repowers
- vehicle or equipment replacement
Under this grant program, funding is restricted to the use of EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified and certified diesel emission reduction technologies.
Eligible Diesel Vehicles, Engines and Equipment
- Buses
- Medium or heavy duty trucks
- Marine engines
- Locomotives
- Non-road engines or vehicles used in:
- construction
- handling of cargo(including at a port or airport)
- agriculture
- mining
- energy production (including stationary generators and pumps)
Project Priorities
Under the Recovery Act, projects funded under this Request For Applications must include methods and measures for creating or preserving jobs and implementing projects and expending funds expeditiously.
Under EPAct 2005, priority for funding under this Request For Applications will go to projects that accomplish the following:
- Maximize public health benefits;
- Are the most cost effective;
- Are in areas with high population density, that are poor air quality areas;
- Are in areas that receive a disproportionate quantity of air pollution from diesel fleets, or that use a community-based multi-stakeholder collaborative process to reduce toxic emissions;
- Include a certified engine configuration or verified technology that has a long expected useful life;
- Maximize the useful life of any certified engine configuration or verified technology used or funded by the eligible entity;
- Conserve diesel fuel; and
- Utilize ultra low sulfur diesel fuel (15 parts per million of sulfur content) ahead of EPA’s mandate (for non-road projects).
Application Procedures, Forms, and Timeline
The following grant application forms were required as part of the application package.
- Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
- Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)
- Assurances, Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)
- Pre-Award Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)
- Pre-Award Compliance Review Report for All Applicants Requesting Federal Financial Assistance (EPA Form 4700-4)
- Key Contacts Form (EPA Form 5700-54)
Applicants may download individual grant application forms from EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment web site at: www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm.
In addition, the application package may include an Applicant Fleet Description (XLS). (60K, April 2009. To view this spreadsheet you might need: MS Excel reader ). You will find directions under the “READ ME” tab of the spreadsheet.
Timeline
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Request for Applications Available | March 19, 2009 |
| Request for Applications Closing Date | April 28, 2009 |
| EPA evaluations | May 2009 |
| Project review and award | May/June 2009 |
| Project implementation | June 2009 to September 30, 2011 |
Comprehensive information about the EPA's overall clean diesel program is available at National Clean Diesel Campaign.