IDEM: Funding available for clean air projects

Program focuses on the replacement of diesel-powered vehicles, equipment and engines with cleaner alternatives.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management announces the availability of funding for the next round of grants for Indiana’s DieselWise Program. Approximately $750,000 is being made available through the U.S. EPA Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) program. Awards will be distributed in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $250,000.

Grant money will be awarded to clean air projects designed to significantly reduce diesel emissions from onroad and nonroad vehicles and equipment across Indiana. As a member of the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative (MCDI), DieselWise Indiana has implemented clean diesel projects on more than 3,900 vehicles across Indiana with a total investment of more than $25 million.

Public and private entities may submit applications, and the Request for Proposals (RFP) deadline is Feb. 28.

This program focuses on the replacement of diesel-powered vehicles, equipment and engines with cleaner alternatives. Vehicles and equipment eligible under this program include transit buses, school buses, refuse haulers and construction equipment. Additionally, the program will fund eligible replacement of diesel engines or gensets in existing diesel-powered marine vessels and locomotives.

Indiana will only accept electronic grant proposals in response to this RFP. Electronic grant proposals must be submitted in PDF format, along with the DieselWise Indiana Fleet Spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel or similar spreadsheet format to Shawn M. Seals at SSeals@idem.IN.gov.

Application materials and information can be found at idem.IN.gov/airquality/dieselwise.