The Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Diesel Campaign is accepting applications for approximately $32 million in funding for clean diesel programs. The Request for Proposal (RFP) is posted on the NCDC website and contains details covering eligibility, program guidelines and submission instructions. The RFPs will be open until Jan. 13, 2011. The EPA plans to award the grants resulting from the program in May 2011.

However, the Associated General Contractors trade group notes that private construction companies cannot apply on their own for an EPA diesel retrofit grant, but AGC members can partner with eligible applicants (including AGC chapters; other nonprofit organizations or institutions; regional, state or local government agencies) to propose cost-effective clean diesel projects. Interested AGC members should also contact their local equipment dealers to begin assessing their fleets to determine what machines can potentially be cleaned up.

For questions and support, contact the clean diesel hotline at 1-877-623-2322 (1-877-NCDC-FACTS) or e-mail cleandiesel@epa.gov (type “National RFP Question” in the subject line of your e-mail). T

AGC Summary At-A-Glance:

The EPA’s 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 EPA Administrator as poor air quality areas.

Eligible diesel emission reduction solutions include but are not limited to: add-on emission control retrofit technologies; idle reduction technologies; cleaner fuel use; engine repowers; engine upgrades and/or vehicle or equipment replacement; and the creation of innovative finance programs to fund diesel emissions reduction projects.  Under this grant program, funding is restricted to the use of EPA and California Air Resources Board-verified and certified diesel emission reduction technologies.

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 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.

Get Started

Businesses interested in applying for federal funds to clean up diesel equipment should contact their local equipment dealers. The Caterpillar representative below will point you in the right direction and help you to strategize and refine project proposals, assemble partners, provide data and perform calculation, and possibly find an eligible applicant to apply on your behalf.

The EPA has posted useful information such as a “sample project narrative” and “sample fleet description” online at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/prgnational.htm; click on “Tools and Resources” to also access the EPA’s diesel emissions quantifier and EPA’s list of the steps you should take for a successful retrofit project.

Cat Emissions Solutions (CES)

Steve Igoe, Commercial Manager
Office: 309-578-8321
Cell: 309-256-0935
Email: igoe_steven_a@cat.com
Online: http://www.cat.com/emissionssolutions

AGC Successes

Over the past few years, the AGC has worked with its chapters and members to prepare applications for National Funding Assistance Program grants. In recent grant competitions, the amount of money requested has exceeded the amount of money available by seven-fold. Congratulations to the following AGC winners-

• Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (AGC) partnered with Allegheny Cty Health Dept., awarded $925,000 grant
• AGC of Greater Florida members sharing in $1.6M grant awarded to Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Assoc.
• AGC of Kentucky awarded $50,000 and $2M grants
• AGC of Minnesota members sharing in $3M and $977,243 grants awarded to Minn. Environmental Initiative
• Oregon- Columbia AGC was awarded $120,000 grant
• AGC of Greater Milwaukee selected to receive $500,000 grant
• AGC members also have benefited from funds awarded by EPA to state/local agencies – indicating many public-private partnerships at play!!

The construction industry’s interest in investing in cleaner equipment is certainly impressive; however, if the past is any guide, AGC Chapters and members have to expect fierce competition for the limited funds for such endeavors!

For more information, contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org.