(Lenexa, Kan., Feb. 26, 2016) - The E.P.A. (EPA) today announced the availability of up to $1.5 million in backing for clean diesel plans in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program. Nationally, $26 million in grant backing will be accessible to establish clean diesel plans aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of diesel engines.
E.P.A. Region 7, including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, will request proposals that include backing for at least $300,000 and not exceed $1.5 million. Past backing in the region has included clean diesel plans 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 Hwy. freight trucks, locomotives, and commercial marine vessels are powered by diesel engines.
E.P.A. is soliciting proposals nationwide for plans that significantly reduce diesel emissions and exposure, especially from fleets operating in areas designated as having poor air quality. Priority for backing will be given to plans that engage and benefit local communities and applicants that demonstrate their ability to promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after the plan 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. E.P.A. Region 7's contact for application questions is Greg Crable at 913-551-7391, 1-800-223-0425 or
[email protected].
Under this competition, E.P.A. anticipates awarding between ten and 40 awards nationwide.
Tribes are welcome to apply under this Request for Proposals, although E.P.A. anticipates releasing a separate Request for Proposals for tribal applicants during March.
Since the 1st year of the DERA plan in 2008, E.P.A. has awarded nearly 700 grants across the U.S. Many of these plans fund cleaner diesel engines that operate in economically disadvantaged communities whose residents suffer from higher-than-average instances of asthma, heart and lung disease.
