Region 8
Serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 27 Tribal Nations
Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative
On this page:
- News and Upcoming Events
- Mission
- Current Partners
- Members
- Goals
- Benefits
- Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Funding Information
- DERA Grant Programs
- National Clean Diesel Campaign Initiative Fact Sheets
Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. Even with more stringent heavy-duty highway engine standards set to take effect over the next decade, over the next twenty years millions of diesel engines already in use will continue to emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, both of which contribute to serious public health problems. These problems are manifested by thousands of instances of premature mortality, hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks, millions of lost work days, and numerous other health impacts.
The Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative, the local arm of the National Clean Diesel Campaign is a partnership of federal, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, the private sector, and environmental groups in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. The Collaborative was established in November 2006 and is part of a national campaign to reduce diesel emissions.
News and Upcoming Events
Conference call TODAY (November 12th) at 3PM EST
The Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) will host an informative teleconference on the tribal section of the FY09/10 DERA National Funding Assistance Program Request for Proposals. This teleconference is open to the public. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions regarding the new tribal application section.
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Call-in Number: 1.866.299.3188
Call-in Code: 202.343.9541#
Please send questions to tribal_clean_diesel@epa.gov.
Join us for conference calls on the recently published National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, Request for Proposals, on October 27 and November 4, 2009.
Region 8 will be holding two informational conference calls to discuss the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, Request for Proposals (RFP) 2009/2010. The first call will be held on Tuesday October 27th from 1-2 P.M. MDT. The call-in number is: 1-866-299-3188, access code 3033126757#. We will answer questions on eligibility and discuss the FY09/2010 Clean Diesel Program Overview (PDF) on the program. As stated in the RFP, we will not discuss draft proposals, provide comments on draft proposals or provide advice to applicants on how to respond to ranking criteria.
The second call will be held on Wednesday November 4th from 10-11 A.M. MDT. The call-in number is 1-866-299-3188, access code 3033126757#. We will answer questions on eligibility and discuss the FY09/2010 Clean Diesel Program Overview (PDF) on the program. As stated in the RFP, we will not discuss draft proposals, provide comments on draft proposals or provide advice to applicants on how to respond to ranking criteria.
The Clean Diesel Hotline is now available to provide answers to your questions about clean diesel funding, clean diesel projects and clean diesel technologies. 1-877-NCDC-FACTS (1-877-623-2322) or e-mail them at cleandiesel@epa.gov.
The RMCDC is pleased to announce the winners of the FY09 ARRA Competitive DERA Grant funding for EPA Region 8:
In an effort to create jobs, boost local economies, reduce diesel emissions and protect human health and the environment, EPA has awarded more than $17.5 million to replace, re-power and retrofit engines in school buses, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural vehicles, and construction vehicles in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. The funding is provided through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009, National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.
The projects will significantly reduce particular matter (PM), nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide emissions which can help reduce premature deaths, asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, lost work days, and many other health impacts every year. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will be substantial. Additional benefits include significant fuel savings and associated operational costs and targeted health benefits for sensitive populations, including children. For specific projects, please visit EPA's Region 8 Clean Diesel Recovery Act page.
The RMCDC is pleased to announce the winners of the FY08 Competitive DERA Grant funding for EPA Region 8:
Regional Air Quality Council - $455,645
The RAQC is partnering with owners and operators of over-the-road, off-road and on-road diesel vehicles. They will retrofit these vehicles with 40 APU's, 25 idle reduction timers and 40 DOC/CCF combinations. They will also complete 5 engine repowers and use ULSD.
Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment - $400,000
The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment will purchase engine pre-heaters, diesel oxidation catalysts and closed crank-case filtration units for 98 school buses throughout the state.
Utah Department of Environmental Quality - $400,000
The Utah Department of Air Quality will retrofit 190 school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts and closed crankcase ventilation units.
Sioux Falls School District - $300,000
Sioux Falls, through a partnership with School Bus Inc., will purchase 6-7 new school buses
City and County of Denver - $200,000
The City and County of Denver will install fuel operated hydraulic and cab heaters on 31 refuse vehicles, fuel operated cab heaters will be installed on 17 refuse vehicles and fuel operated cab heaters will be installed on 6 snow removal trucks.
Mission
Reduce diesel emissions through voluntary efforts to improve air quality and protect human health by promoting grants, leveraging additional funding and offering technical assistance and education to interested parties in Region 8.
Current Partners
A Collaborative partner is any public or private organization striving to reduce diesel emissions through innovative strategies in diesel technology, renewable fuels and energy efficiency.
- Federal Partners: U.S. EPA Region 8, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Colorado Division; Federal Transit Authority (FTA).
- Colorado Partners: Denver Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC), Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE), Denver Department of Environmental Health, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Clean Cities Denver.
- Utah Partners: Utah Department of Air Quality; Clean Cities Salt Lake City.
Members:
A member is any public or private organization or person who wishes to be involved with and/or informed about RMCDC projects. Members will receive periodic updates from RMCDC and information related to clean diesel practices.
Goals
- Upgrade/retrofit existing diesel engines with improved emission control technologies
- Replace oldest engines/vehicles with newer, less polluting engines/vehicles
- Convert fleets to cleaner burning fuels and/or biofuels
- Encourage policies and practices to reduce unnecessary idling
- Assist with clean diesel projects by promoting grants and leveraging additional funding
Benefits
Reducing diesel emissions has significant public health benefits. Diesel exhaust contributes to unhealthy levels of fine particles, ozone ("brown cloud") and air toxics. Fine particles have been associated with increased adverse respiratory symptoms, such as asthma, an increased risk of premature death, and numerous other health impacts. Encouraging cleaner diesel practices reduces fuel consumption and excess engine wear, both of which save money.
Rebecca Russo, U.S. EPA Region 8 at 303-312-6757 or russo.rebecca@epa.gov
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Funding Information
EPA has announced the publication of the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, Request for Proposals 2009/2010. It opened October 6, 2009 and closes on December 8, 2009.
Here is a brief synopsis of the grant program:
- EPA’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program is soliciting proposals nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas.
- Eligible diesel emission reduction solutions include verified emission control technologies such as retrofit devices, cleaner fuels, and engine upgrades, verified idle reduction technologies, verified aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires, certified engine repowers, and/or vehicle or equipment replacement.
- Eligible diesel vehicles, engines and equipment may include buses, medium-duty or heavy-duty trucks, marine engines, locomotives and non-road engines, equipment or vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo (including at a port or airport), agriculture, mining or energy production (including stationary generators and pumps).
- Eligible entities include regional, State, local or tribal agencies (or intertribal consortia) or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and nonprofit organizations or institutions that a) represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets; or b) have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality.
Region 8 is accepting non-tribal proposals for projects located within Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
Non-tribal proposals for projects located in Region 8 will be evaluated based on the quality and extent to which the proposed project:
- Promotes idle reduction strategies or technologies (e.g., auxiliary power units, engine preheaters, truck stop electrification, and other technologies), improved aerodynamics, or low rolling-resistance tires;
- Reduces emissions from the oil and gas industry;
- Improves the air quality on a Tribal Reservation located within EPA Region 8.
*Please keep in mind that while projects meeting one or more of these three goals will receive more points under the Regional Significance Criteria, other projects are still eligible to apply.
For Region 8, only non-tribal proposals requesting EPA funding between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000 will be accepted. It is anticipated that 2-4 Region 8 assistance agreements will be made from this announcement.
*Please note that there will be a separate competition for Tribal applicants. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 5-10 tribal assistance agreements. The minimum eligible funding request for tribal proposals is $30,000.
While non-tribal applicants must submit their proposals to the EPA regional office which covers the geographic project location, Tribal applicants must submit their proposals to the EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) contact identified in the RFP, regardless of geographic project location. Tribal proposals will be evaluated and selected by OTAQ.
Please find the link the RFP here:
http://www.epa.gov/air/grants/09-10.pdf
Please find a link to the Grants Funding page here:
http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html
Entities interested in forming partnerships for grant proposals
Eligible Entities Interested in Partnering
- Cascade Sierra Solutions (CSS). CSS is interested in partnering with organizations, but those partners must have a clear idea of the project they would like to propose and they must have the appropriate skills and time to do the bulk of the proposal writing. Contact: Sándor Lau, 541-302-0900 x211.
- Denver Department of Environmental Health. Contact: Sabrina Williams, Sabrina.Williams@denvergov.org
- Denver Metro Clean Cities Coalition. DMCCC can assist organizations in identifying and recruiting partners for collaborative proposals; grant writing, editing and proofing services; as well as offering strategic direction. These services are for coalition members only. Contact: Natalia Swalnick, nswalnick@lungcolorado.org.
- Northern Colorado Clean Cities (NCCC). NCCC can offer demonstrated outreach skills and resources, an established website, events, contacts and a history of smaller successes. Contact: Robin Newbrey Riesberg, 970-689-4845.
- Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). The RAQC is focusing on oil and gas, Denver area over-the-road fleets and some school districts. Contact: Steve McCannon, 303-629-5450, x230.
For-Profit Organizations Interested in Partnering
- Master Lease, a leasing firm for over-the-road trucks. Contact: Warren Pierre-Mathews, 303-286-3800, x2407
DERA Grant Programs
1. National Component
The National Component includes three grant programs: The National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, the SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program and the Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program.
a. National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program
- The National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance includes the Regional competitions. There will be approximately $64M available nationwide and the competition will include 2009 and 2010 funding. The RFA is expected to be published the end of September 2009.
Other Information for you:
The Grants & Funding page has language regarding the Stimulus funding and potential grant competition opportunities.
We also have a new resource called "Tips for a Successful Diesel Retrofit Project: DOCs, DPFs, & CCVs"
b. Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program
This National competition is for $4M of FY2009 funding. The RFP published October 6, 2009 and closes December 8, 2009. More information on this grant program can be found here.
c. SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program
This National competition is for $6M of FY2009 funding. The RFA published October 9, 2009 and closes December 8, 2009. More information on this grant program can be found here.
2. State Component
The State Program will include approximately $18M. Only States and the District of Columbia are eligible to receive these noncompetitive grants.
For more information on any of these grant programs, please go to www.epa.gov/cleandiesel
You may also visit these pages for more information on other Regional Collaboratives:
National Clean Diesel Campaign Initiative Fact Sheets
|
Clean School Bus USA Fact Sheet PDF (1 pg, 40K) |
|
SmartWay Transport Partnership Fact Sheet PDF (1 pg, 42K) |
|
Clean Agriculture USA Fact Sheet PDF (1 pg, 39K) |
|
Clean Construction USA Fact Sheet PDF (1 pg, 39K) |