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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) provided $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. The Request for Applications (RFA) closed on April 28, 2009. A separate competitive announcement for the FY 2009 National Diesel Emissions Reduction Program Appropriation funds will be issued later in 2009.
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2009 Recovery Act: Smartway Finance Projects
About the Program
The Recovery Act Funding for Clean Diesel: SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program was a competitive grant program that will supported the creation of national, state or local innovative clean diesel financial programs, which maximized job creation and preservation. Innovative financial programs included those where the loan recipient received 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 programs are available at:
- National Clean Diesel Campaign
- 2009 Clean Diesel Grants & Funding
- National Clean Diesel Smartway Finance Program
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 | June/July 2009 |
| Project implementation end date | September 30, 2011 |
Application Information
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 (PDF) (72 pp; 319K; April 23, 2009) regarding this RFA are available. They include answers to questions posted at an information session hosted by EPA.
A SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program (PDF) (21 pp, 145K, March 2009) presentation is available.
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, or energy production (including stationary generators and pumps).
Eligible Diesel Emissions Reduction Solutions
The Recovery Act Funding for Clean Diesel: SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program provided 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.
Project Priorities
Projects funded Recovery Act were required to 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:
- Maximized public health benefits;
- Were the most cost effective;
- Were in areas with high population density that are poor air quality areas;
- Were 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;
- Included a certified engine configuration or verified technology that has a long expected useful life;
- Maximized the useful life of any certified engine configuration or verified technology used or funded by the eligible entity;
- Conserved diesel fuel; and
- Utilized ultra low sulfur diesel fuel (15 parts per million of sulfur content) ahead of EPA’s mandate (for non-road projects).
Application Forms
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)
Individual grant application forms are available from EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment web site at: www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm.
In addition, the application package may require an Applicant Fleet Description (XLS). (60K, April 2009, MS Excel reader 
). You will find directions under the “READ ME” tab of the spreadsheet.