News Releases from Region 04

EPA Announces Availability of up to $1.9 Million to Clean Up Diesel Engines in the Southeast Preference given to fleets in areas with poor air quality

(02/25/16 - ATLANTA) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the availability of up to $1.9 million in grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing emissions from the existing fleet of diesel engines in the southeast. Funds being made available 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 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.

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

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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