Iowa DNR News
Environmental Services Division
Media Contact: Mindy Kralicek, DNR Air Quality Information Specialist, (515) 281-7832
Projects to Reduce Diesel Engine Exhaust Sought for Recovery Grant Funding
Projects to reduce diesel engine exhaust are eligible for Recovery grant funding under a new competitive grant program offered by the Air Quality Bureau of the Department of Natural Resources. Called Reduce Iowa’s Diesel Exhaust (RIDE), applications will be accepted through June 29, 2009. At least $1.49 million will be awarded to projects.
“Although we hope diesel engine owners will reduce air pollution for the public good, there are operational gains to be considered too,” said Mindy Kralicek, grant manager. “For instance, if the eligible vehicle needs a new muffler, installing a diesel oxidation catalyst solves that problem and will also reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon emissions and fine particle pollution. Idling reduction technologies save fuel as well as cut exhaust.”
Any unit of Iowa state or local government, public or private group or business owner that owns eligible diesel engines is eligible to apply. Entities that organize a sub-grant program for owners of eligible diesel engines are also eligible. Targeted diesel engines are older models of buses; heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks; locomotives, boats and barges, and off-road equipment for agriculture, mining, and construction purposes or for the generation of energy. Complete guidelines and application forms are available at http://www.iowacleanair.com/.
The amount of diesel emissions that will be reduced for the money spent is the criterion that will carry the most weight in evaluating projects. Usually, the older the engine, the greater reduction of exhaust can be achieved with the selected strategy. Consideration will also be given to projects that reduce exhaust in areas of concern for fine particle pollution and air toxics, in densely populated areas, and where there is a disproportionate concentration of air pollution from diesel fleets such as rail yards or distribution centers. Projects that contain monetary or in-kind matches are strongly encouraged, although that is not required.
Diesel exhaust contains fine particles, nearly 40 air toxics, and greenhouse gases. When inhaled, the toxics and microscopic particles go deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Particles accumulate in the lungs over time and stop oxygen transfer to the blood. Asthma, bronchitis, difficulty breathing, even cancer and premature deaths can be attributed to unsafe levels of exposure to diesel exhaust.
Federal standards reduce emissions from diesel engines by up to 90 percent for heavy duty vehicles made in 2007 or later. However older, dependable but dirtier diesel engines will continue to give off dangerous exhaust unless individuals and organizations alter them voluntarily.
Funding for the RIDE program was received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which promotes the preservation and/or creation of jobs and economic recovery.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is now requesting proposals for grant awards to private and public diesel fleet owners in the state of Minnesota for clean diesel projects. Grant application materials and contact information is available at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/cleandiesel-grants.html.
IC has received some common questions which we would like to use as an opportunity to reinforce some points about the grant:
The DERA Grant is Competitive
· The EPA will receive many times more requests for funding than is available. Applications such as marine diesel projects, DPF retrofit projects, new school bus purchases, off highway retrofits, municipal trucks, offset to the cost of alternative fuels, locomotives, etc are all eligible for funding. We are hearing from across the country of organizations pursuing DERA funds. As such, this is a competitive grant and it is possible that not everyone will receive funding. We need to ensure our customers understand this.
Focus Your Efforts on 25% Funding Level
· Due to the competitive nature of the grant, the key for you to educate your customer on is presenting a winning application. Focusing on the 25% level will help with a winning bid. Why? A major factor in determining the grant award is Cost per Emissions Reduced. Here’s an example of what this means:
Customer A. Submitting for 25% funding level to replace a 1994 school bus with a 2009 school bus w/
MaxxForce DT
Emission reduction
EPA 1994 level 2009 level Total Reduction
NOx 5.0 1.2 3.8
PM 0.10 0.01 0.09
Customer B . Submitting for 50% funding level to replace same 1994 school bus with a 2009.5 CE school bus w/ high HP MXF DT produced after August 1, 2009.
Emission Reduction
EPA 1994 level 2009.5 level Total Reduction
NOx 5.0 <0.5 4.5+
PM 0.10 0.01 0.09
Probable Result:
EPA may likely choose to fund customer A over customer B. The incremental NOx reduction is not double, yet it would cost the EPA twice the funding. The EPA.s goal is to have the greatest impact in reducing diesel emissions. They would likely prefer to fund (2) 25% proposals instead of (1) 50% proposal.
Another note, please keep in mind, the new bus must have a similar horsepower rating to the old bus. The EPA may not allow you to replace a 210 hp engine with a 245 hp engine.
Minimum Grant Requests
· For customers interested in only purchasing a few buses, we have aligned with a national, non for profit organization that will collate similar customers from their EPA regions and submit a combined grant request meeting the minimum award levels on their behalf. Please contact Jason Anderson at salesmanager@hoglundbus.com for more information.
· To complete the grant through the national organization, each dealership must fill out one excel document, collating all customer information onto the excel spreadsheet. In addition, on a Microsoft Word document, each district should provide the following information (One MS Word document per customer):
o Short description of applicant organization
o High level description of the vehicles involved (Number and Type
of Vehicles)
o Project start date if awarded money (Order date and date vehicle
would be put into service)
o Positive impact the project could have on the environment in the
customers area
o If applicable, how this grant can help overcome financial hardship by
a school district
o Any past experience the customer has with diesel emission reduction
projects
o Any potential economic impact of this proposal, including number of jobs retained or created (IC Bus will provide impact from factory manufacturer view)
To view information on the DERA Grant, please visit this website. You can download the presentation or email it to someone. Applications for the DERA grant are due by April 28, 2009. If you are interested in this grant, you need to move quickly. You can also get more information on our previous post about this topic, found here. If you have any questions, please contact Jason Anderson at salesmanager@hoglundbus.com or Nicole Crum at busadmin@hoglundbus.com.
Filed under: 2010 Emissions, Commercial Buses, EPA, Grant, Hybrid, IC, Iowa, Minnesota
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Grant Environmental Protection Agency
Overview:
The EPA DERA grant provides funding to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines through a variety of strategies including funding the purchase of new vehicles. Grants will focus on promoting economic recovery, preserving and/or creating jobs, and reducing diesel emissions. Approximately $156 million of funding will be offered for competitive funding. More information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/prgnational.htm.
Available funding:
• The EPA grant will fund 25% of the entire cost of each vehicle (body and chassis).
• School buses that meet 2010 emissions in 2009 may qualify for 50% funding
Eligibility:
• Both hybrid and non-hybrid vehicles are eligible. Commercial\school buses and medium\ heavy trucks qualify.
• A vehicle that is currently operating must be taken out of service. The purchase of the new vehicle(s) must be accompanied by the fully-documented scrapping of the vehicle(s) being replaced.
o The replacement vehicle must perform the same function as the new vehicle.
o The replacement vehicle must be of the same type and similar gross vehicle weight rating or horsepower as the vehicle being replaced.
Who can apply:
o A regional, state, local or tribal agency or port authority with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality.
o A nonprofit organization or institution that represents or provides pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets.
• Private companies and municipal entities should plan to apply for the grant in partnership with an organization that is described above.
Application Process
• Applications must be submitted by eligible organizations listed above. Private companies and municipal entities may apply in partnership with these organizations.
• Navistar will help interested customers partner with organizations that are eligible to apply for the grant.
• Customers interested in applying for the grant should complete a Letter of Intent and Customer Information Worksheet.
Timing:
• The request for proposal from the EPA is expected to be announced on March 17
• The due date for submissions is yet to be announced. It is expected that submissions will be due Late-April 2009.
For submission support (including Navistar emissions and funding eligibility information) please contact:
Mark Schumacher
Construct Marketing and Business Solutions
TEL: 773-857-3346
MSchumacher@ConstructMBS.com
There have been some issues with finding information on how to apply for the grant money we talked about in this post. Hopefully this will help clear up any confusion.
The funding programs that will be receiving grant money are located here – http://www.epa.gov/otaq/eparecovery/index.htm
The following grant application forms are required as part of the application package.
- Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
- Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)
- Assurances, Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)
- Pre-Award Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)
- Pre-Award Compliance Review Report for All Applicants Requesting Federal Financial Assistance (EPA Form 4700-4)
- Key Contacts Form (EPA Form 5700-54)
Hoglund wants to ensure you are aware that with the recently passed economic stimulus program, the government is funding $350 million in the Diesel Exhaust Reduction Act. The available grant money has increased from the $50 million offered in 2008. One of the anti-idling items approved under this grant money is a fuel fired heater for school buses. The time frame for applying is very short, only 30 days, so apply NOW! More information can be found on the EPA Website.
Grant Information Resources for Idle Reduction Equipment
Fuel-Operated Heaters for School Buses
On February 17, 2009, the ARRA recovery act stimulus package was signed into law. This includes $300 million to fund Clean Diesel grants in addition to the approximately $50 in fiscal year 2009 National Diesel Emissions Reduction Program Appropriations. Please note that these two sources of grant money will have separate grant announcements. Money from these two sources will fund equipment such as fuel-operated heaters for school buses.
Seventy percent of the EPA funds will be awarded through the regional offices. Thirty percent of the EPA funds will be awarded by state affiliated EPA organizations such as NYSERDA in New York or Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Please watch for state informational announcements and grant assistance meetings that are being organized in some states to assist people to understand and apply for the state and national funds.
Fuel-operated heaters are funded because they reduce fuel consumption and reduce diesel particulate matter and other contaminates from entering the air in and around school buses, near school buildings and in our communities. The heaters allow a warm and defrosted bus while following idle reduction laws and the spirit of state idle reduction campaigns.
School districts and other non-profit entities are eligible to apply for the grants. In addition, school bus contractors may receive heaters for the buses but a school district or other non-profit organization must submit the grant application for the heaters.
Please use the following information and links to help you understand and prepare the grants:
· United States map with EPA regional coalitions and contact information
· EPA website www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/grantfund.htm to begin preparation NOW
-
- Sign up on this EPA page to receive e-mail notification regarding grant funding and issues related to reducing diesel emissions
- See sample grant application materials required for these EPA grants http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/dera2008/2008-sample-proposal.pdf
- Determine which fleet vehicles are eligible for funding
- Establish partnerships
- Prepare fleet descriptions
- Evaluate public health benefits—includes link to tutorial for Diesel Emission Quantifier to create a summary which quantifies benefits of equipment on air quality and related health benefits that result http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/webinar.htm
- View archived funding information from 2008 http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/grantfundarchive.htm
EPA moved to a central contact point for the stimulus grants on March 4, 2009 http://www.epa.gov/otaq/eparecovery/index.htm
• If you need to contact the EPA for questions, cleandiesel@epa.gov
Link to EPA where Espar heaters are listed as an accepted idle reduction technology – http://www.epa.gov/smartway/transport/what-smartway/idling-reduction-fet.htm
The grant applications should be posted on the EPA website about March 5 and the completed applications are due back by April 13, 2009.
It is important to find the website for the EPA region in your area and read about the priorities set for that region. There will be information on the regional website for the grant applications and specific instructions for how to complete and return the application to that office.
Public fleets, such as school buses, have a priority in the stimulus funding. Now is the time to start preparing partners to submit a grant during the short window of opportunity for the stimulus funds.
Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) Funding Sources – information on grant funding available in Region 5.
