Region 8
Funding Opportunities
National Information
Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative
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Several state, local, and national funding sources are available for projects that reduce diesel emissions. Funding is available for the use of 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. Federal funds are largely restricted to EPA or California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified technologies, but local and state funds may be available for a wide variety of projects. The RMCDC provides case studies of where grants have resulted in significant pollution reduction and information on available funding opportunities within the region.
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Funding Information
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for FY12 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant funding has been published! The RFP can be found on the National Clean Diesel Campaign Grants and Funding page.
May 1 Region 8 Webinar - Slides and Recording
View slides from the May 1 Region 8 Webinar (PDF).
You may also view the EPA Region 8 presentation recording. You can either view it on the web or download it to your computer. If you choose the download option, you will need to download a special player from the WebEx site to view the recording. The WebEx site will walk you through the process if they need the player.
Please note that private companies and individuals are not eligible to apply directly for the grants, but would have to partner with an eligible entity.
Eligible entities are limited to: 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.
DERA Grant Programs include both a national, competitive, competition and state grant funding.
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. Please note, only The National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program is being funded in FY12.
2. State Component
States, the District of Columbia and the Islands (Guam, the United Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) are eligible to receive these noncompetitive grants.
EPA’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program solicits 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.
For more information on any of these grant programs, please go to www.epa.gov/cleandiesel
"Tips for a Successful Diesel Retrofit Project"
Entities interested in forming partnerships for grant proposals:
- Denver Department of Environmental Health. The DEH air quality program is responsible for enforcement of Denver’s idling ordinance, but we’re also interested in partnering with parties who can provide technological and/or financial solutions to retrofit fleet vehicles within the City & County of Denver. Contact: Mim Mirsky, 720-865-5477, Mim.Mirsky@denvergov.org, or Gregg Thomas, 720-865-5413, Gregg.Thomas@denverorg.gov
- 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: Sheble McConnellogue 970-302-0914.
- Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). The RAQC is focusing on oil and gas, Denver area over-the-road fleets and some school districts. Contact: Kate Riegle, 303-629-5450, x290.
FY11 Competitive DERA grants funded for EPA Region 8:
Two entities were recently awarded FY11 DERA grants:
1. Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) – Award amount $1,000,000 (total project cost: $1,608,445)
The project is a collaborative effort with 15 fleets, which will retrofit an estimated 220 vehicles, repower 4 engines and replace 2 vehicles. Retrofits include idling reduction technologies, diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters.
2. Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) – Award amount $772,056 (total project cost: $1,416,061
UDEQ will repower 2 pieces and replace 5 pieces of agricultural equipment; will replace 4 pieces of construction equipment; and will put idle-reduction technologies on 11 school buses and 20 tractor/trailers.
FY09/10 Competitive DERA grants funded for EPA Region 8:
Two entities were recently awarded FY09/10 DERA grants:
1. Missoula County - Award amount: $1,130,001
Missoula County will partner with Montana Rail Link (MRL) to retrofit 34 diesel locomotives with Auxiliary Power Units (APU's).
2. Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) - $2,502,728
The RAQC will retrofit 118 over the road trucks with APU's, retrofit 15 school buses and 46 public works vehicles with DOC's, retrofit 15 school buses and 23 public works vehicles with Closed Crank Filtration (CCF) systems, and retrofit 56 public works vehicles with fuel operated heaters/hydroheaters. In addition they will retrofit 27 school buses, 5 public works vehicles and 45 over the road with fuel operated heaters, 32 over the road trucks with thermal coolers, 47 school buses, 10 public works vehicles and 33 over the road trucks with bunk heaters. The RAQC will also replace 2 vehicles operating in oil and gas fields with newer cleaner vehicles. Lastly, the RAQC will install 25 sets of low rolling resistance tires on over the road trucks and install 100 trailer skirts on over the road trucks.
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 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 was 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.
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.
Colorado's Clean Diesel Program (PDF, 2.54MB) - A presentation provided to the RMCDC focusing on activities such as school bus retrofits in the State of Colorado.
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.