National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program
The National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program allows EPA to issue competitive grants for the implementation of EPA or CARB verified and certified emission reduction technologies.
Overview
In 2009, EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign is distributing funding for the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program through two separate funding sources:
- the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) ($156 Million), and
- EPA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Appropriations.
An expedited process is currently underway for distribution of the Recovery Act funding. The distribution of the FY 2009 Funding will occur later in 2009.
The National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program provides funding to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines through a variety of strategies, including but not limited to: add-on emission control retrofit technologies; idle reduction technologies; cleaner fuel use; engine repowers; engine upgrades; and/or vehicle or equipment replacement; and the creation of innovative finance programs to fund diesel emissions reduction projects. 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 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 Use of Funding
The following types of fleets qualify for funding:
- 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)
At least half the funds will be for the benefit of public fleets. This includes private fleets contracted or leased for public purpose, such as private school buses, refuse haulers, or equipment at public ports. However, only eligible entities can apply directly to EPA for funding (e.g., a school district would apply and administer a project on behalf of the private school bus contractor).
Grant applicants can propose projects to significantly reduce diesel emissions by deploying EPA or California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified retrofit technologies, that cover incremental costs of early replacement and repower with EPA certified configurations, and reduce long-duration idling with EPA approved technologies.
Examples of verified retrofit technologies
- Diesel Oxidation Catalysts
- Diesel Particulate Matter Filters (wall or flow-through)
- Closed Crank Case Ventilation Systems
- Biodiesel
- Engine Upgrade Kits
Examples of verified idle reduction technologies
- Shore Connection Systems and Alternative Maritime Power
- Auxiliary Power Units and Generator Sets
- Fuel Operated Heaters
- Battery Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
- Automatic Shut-down/ Start-Up Systems
Note: Equipment that is used for testing emissions and/or fueling infrastructure costs is not eligible for funding. Pursuant to Section 792(d)(2) of the EPAct of 2005, no funds awarded under this program shall be used to fund the costs of emissions reductions that are mandated under Federal, state or local law.
Links to Each of the Collaboratives
- Northeast Diesel Collaborative (EPA Regions 1, 2)
- Mid-Atlantic Diesel Collaborative (EPA Region 3)
- Southeast Diesel Collaborative (EPA Region 4)
- Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative (EPA Region 5)
- Blue Skyways Collaborative (EPA Regions 6, 7 plus Minnesota)
- Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative (EPA Region 8)
- West Coast Collaborative (EPA Regions 9, 10, with Canada and Mexico)