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EPA Announces Availability of Up to $1.5 Million to Clean Up Diesel Engines

By Submitted

02/26/2016

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the availability of up to $1.5 million in funding for clean diesel projects in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska under the Diesel Emissions Reduction program (DERA). Nationally, $26 million in grant funding will be available to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of diesel engines.

Region 7 – including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska - will request proposals that include funding for at least $300,000 and not exceed $1.5 million. Past funding in the region has included clean diesel projects for school district buses, municipal vehicles and river push boats and tugs.

Diesel-powered engines move approximately 90 percent of the nation’s freight tonnage, and today nearly all highway freight trucks, locomotives, and commercial marine vessels are powered by diesel engines.

EPA is soliciting proposals nationwide for projects that significantly reduce diesel emissions and exposure, especially from fleets operating in areas designated as having poor air quality. Priority for funding will be given to projects that engage and benefit local communities and applicants that demonstrate their ability to promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

Eligible applicants include regional, state, local or tribal agencies, or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Nonprofit organizations may apply if they provide pollution reduction or educational services to diesel fleet owners or have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality. The applicants may apply until Tuesday, April 26, 2016. EPA Region 7’s contact for application questions is Greg Crable, 913-551-739 or Crable.Gregory@epa.gov

Under this competition, EPA anticipates awarding between 10 and 40 awards nationwide.

Tribes are welcome to apply under this Request for Proposals although EPA anticipates releasing a separate Request for Proposals for Tribal applicants during March.

Since the first year of the DERA program in 2008, EPA has awarded nearly 700 grants across the U.S. Many of these projects fund cleaner diesel engines that operate in economically disadvantaged communities whose residents suffer from higher-than-average instances of asthma, heart and lung disease.

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