EPA Soliciting Proposals for Clean Diesel Projects; Up to $64M in Awards in FY 2009/2010
07 October 2009
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program is soliciting 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. A single proposal may target multiple fleets, fleet types and/or diesel emission reduction solutions.
The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity for FY 2009/2010 is approximately $64 million, including all non-tribal and tribal awards. EPA regional offices will award the assistance agreements for selected projects; EPA expects to make around 80 awards. Funding will be in the form of cooperative agreements or grants.
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.
Reducing emissions from diesel engines remains one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country, according to the EPA. Nationwide, in 2009 diesel emission from mobile sources alone will account for approximately 300,000 tons of directly emitted PM2.5 and 6.4 million tons of NOx, which contribute to the formation of ozone and additional fine particles.
These emissions will come from approximately 20 million engines operating in 2009, including approximately 13 million on-highway vehicle, 7 million nonroad engines, and 47,000 locomotive and marine engines.
Even with more stringent heavy-duty highway and non-road engine standards taking effect over the next decade, millions of diesel engines already in use will continue to emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and air toxics, which contribute to serious public health problems, including asthma, lung cancer and various other cardiac and respiratory diseases. These problems result in thousands of premature deaths, millions of lost work days, and numerous other negative health impacts every year.
The closing date for receipt of proposals for the awards is 8 December 2009.
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