(02/25/16 - ATLANTA) - The E.P.A. (EPA) today announced the availability of up to $1.9 million in grant backing to establish clean diesel plans aimed at reducing emissions from the existing fleet of diesel engines in the southeast. Funds being made accessible for applicants in the southeast are part of a $26 million national allotment.
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.
Under this competition, E.P.A. anticipates awarding between ten and 40 awards. E.P.A. is requesting proposals between $300,000 and $1,900,000 for applicants in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Tribes are welcome to apply under this RFP, 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.
For more information and to access the Request for Proposals, visit http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-national-grants.
For more information on the National Clean Diesel campaign, visit http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.
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