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Recovery Act Funding: Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) provides $20 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).
- 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: Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies 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.
Request for Applications
The Request For Applications (RFA) (PDF) (30 pp; 300K; April 28, 2009; About PDF) for the Recovery Act Funding for the National Clean Diesel Emerging Technology closed May 5, 2009.
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) (29 pp; 160K; April 23, 2009; Final Revision; About PDF) 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 is April 24 at 5 p.m. EDT.
Information Session
EPA hosted an information session April 2, 2009, about the Request for Application for the Recovery Act Funding under the Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program.
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 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)
Eligible Diesel Emissions Reduction Solutions
Under this grant program, funding is restricted to the use of emerging technologies. An emerging technology is a device or system that reduces emissions from diesel engines or diesel engine powered vehicles or equipment that has not been certified or verified by EPA or the California Air Resources Board (CARB), but for which an approvable application and test plan have been submitted for verification. Only those technologies that have been approved and placed on EPA’s Emerging Technology List, found at www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/prgemerglist.htm, qualify as emerging technologies for the purpose of this funding solicitation.
If you are a manufacturer who would like to submit a technology for inclusion on the Emerging Technology List:
- Review the materials and instructions for the technology verification process.
- Fill out and submit the Verification Application Packet, including the Intent to Verify Form, Verification Application (XLS) (39K, October 2006), and the Manufacturer Cover Letter (DOC) (2 pp, 20K, September 2006).
- Provide documentation explaining why the technology should be considered an emerging technology.
- Work with EPA to develop a test plan.
- Seek placement on EPA's Emerging Technology List once the application and test plan is approved by EPA.
- Partner with eligible entities to apply for funding.
- Complete testing and obtain full verification within two years.
The Verification Application Packet outlines the minimum information required to be submitted to the EPA by a manufacturer of an emerging technology. Additional information will be requested from the manufacturer by EPA during the application review process. Once EPA has a clear understanding of the engineering/chemical principals of how the technology reduces emissions EPA will work with the manufacturer to prepare a 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:
- the specific technology to be tested
- test procedures, sequences, and documentation requirements
- the testing organization's quality control procedures
- test engine(s) and fuels
- analytical methods
- instrument calibration and traceability
- record keeping requirements
- record keeping requirements
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 an emerging technology that has a long expected useful life
- Maximize the useful life of any emerging technology used or funded by the eligible entity
- Conserve diesel fuel
- 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 are 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
| Action | Completion Date |
|---|---|
| Request for Applications Available | March 19, 2009 |
| Request for Applications Closing Date | May 5, 2009 |
| EPA evaluations | May 2009 |
| Project review and award | May/June 2009 |
| Project implementation | June 2009 – Sep. 30, 2010 |
Comprehensive information about the EPA's overall clean diesel program is available at National Clean Diesel Campaign.