Funding
NESCAUM and the air quality programs in the Northeast States and Caribbean territories are represented on the NEDC Steering Committee, plus they are eligible recipients of federal grants under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Program. However, EPA has sole responsibility for evaluating, ranking and awarding grant funds under this competitive process. Grants are evaluated and awarded by EPA according to the criteria outlined in the Request for Proposals, and based on the merits of individual applications, without regard to a project sponsor's affiliation with the NEDC. Once EPA announces a grant competition, EPA staff do not participate in NESCAUM and state discussions on grant proposals. Likewise, when EPA program staff evaluate grant proposals, NESCAUM and state staff are excluded from the evaluation, selection and award process. These procedures help to ensure a fair process.
MassCleanDiesel Funding for School Bus Owners
MassCleanDiesel is the nation's first statewide program to reduce air pollution from diesel-powered school buses. MassCleanDiesel will equip all eligible diesel-powered school buses in the Commonwealth with diesel retrofits, at no expense to bus owners. By reducing pollution from diesel-powered buses, MassCleanDiesel will help provide cleaner rides to school for kids and healthier air for everyone.
To receive diesel retrofits, bus owners will need to enroll in MassCleanDiesel, provide general information about their school buses, obtain estimates from retrofit vendors, and then arrange for retrofit installations. MassDEP will reimburse retrofit vendors for these installations, provided they meet all terms of the program.
Note: The MassCleanDiesel program ended on June 30, 2011. The following informational materials were previously distributed to bus owners, vendors, and other interested parties. Although the program has ended and funding for retrofits is no longer available, these informational materials are still available at http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/diesel/masscleandiesel.htm for anyone who wants to learn about the MassCleanDiesel school bus retrofit program.
To get answers to specific questions, call the program Help Line (617-292-5809) or e-mail MassClean.Diesel@state.ma.us.
Incentives and Funding Opportunities for Idle Reduction Projects
Various federal, state, and nonprofit organizations provide funding that can be used for the reduction of emissions from long-duration truck and locomotive idling.
Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) Funds
The U.S. Department of Transportation's CMAQ program provides funds to state DOTs, MPOs, and transit agencies to invest in projects that reduce air pollution from transportation-related sources.
The CMAQ program is one source of funds for Transportation Control Measures (TCMs) employed for the purposes of reducing congestion and improving air quality.
Port Authority Truck Program
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Regional Truck Replacement Program (TRP) is a special first-come, first-served limited offer to provide grants and financing to eligible truck owners to help them purchase newer, cleaner and more environmentally-friendly trucks.
ELIGIBILITY:
- Own a drayage truck (Class 8, 33,001 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and higher) equipped with an engine Model Year 1993 or older
- Demonstrate a history of regularly calling to the Port of NY & NJ marine terminals (approximately 200 times in the last 12 months)
- Be willing to scrap old drayage truck
- Possess a valid vehicle registration, license plate, and driver's license
- Have acceptable credit history and cash flow if applying for low-interest financing
Clean Cities Funding
There are many financial opportunities available. When applying for funding, ask your local Clean Cities coordinator for help. Coordinators can offer sound advice on how to successfully navigate the process to obtain the funding needed to meet petroleum reduction goals.
DERA Grants
The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) establishes a voluntary national and state-level grant and loan program to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines through clean diesel retrofits. Emissions from older diesel vehicles and equipment can be reduced between 20 and 95 percent with cost-effective retrofit technology. The EPA estimates that if DERA is fully funded, it would reduce particulate matter emissions by greater than 70,000 tons, generate greater than $20 billion in economic benefit, and return $13 in health, environmental and economic benefits for every one dollar invested. Since the program's creation in 2005, the U.S. EPA has provided $519 million in grants for clean diesel projects.
2012 Reauthorization of Diesel Grants--President Obama Jan. 4 signed legislation (H.R. 5809) reauthorizing grants to state, local, and tribal governments for programs to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines. The bill, passed by the Senate Dec. 16 and the House Dec. 21, authorizes $100 million each year for the grants for fiscal years 2012 through 2016 (244 DEN A-7, 12/22/10). The grants are used to reduce emissions through means such as retrofitting diesel engines with emissions controls. Any funding authorized would still be subject to actual appropriations by Congress.
Contact Region2_Clean_Diesel@epamail.epa.gov to request notifications of upcoming grants.