Government Funding

Pennsylvania - The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Small Business Advantage program provides 50-percent matching grants up to $7,500 for equipment or processes that reduce energy consumption and promote pollution prevention while increasing profitability. The grants can be used for cost-shared purchase of auxiliary power units for long-haul trucks. The grants for this year have all been awarded, but the next round of applications will open July 1, 2006.

(Source: National Idling Reduction Network News, January 2006).

West Coast Diesel Collaborative - The West Coast Diesel Collaborative has a comprehensive listing of grant and loan programs available from many states to purchase or apply for a loan for on-board idling reduction equipment. See www.westcoastdiesel.org/programs.htm.

(Source: National Idling Reduction Network News, January 2006).

Wisconsin - Starting July 1, 2006, Wisconsin will provide grants to freight motor carriers headquartered in Wisconsin for 70 percent of the cost of idle-reduction equipment installed on their trucks. The grants will apply to trucks equipped with a diesel engine from model year 1998 or newer. It is designed to award$1 mllion per year in grants for 5 years. Funding comes from the Wisconsin Petroleum Inspection Fund. More information can be found at www.legis.state.wi.us.

(Source: National Idling Reduction Network News, December 2005)

Arkansas - The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is teaming with the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership to provide information on idle-reduction technologies and low-interest loans to Arkansas truckers. The ADEQ loan programs are aimed to help Arkansas small business meet the environmental regulations, minimize waste and prevent pollution. For more information, contact Darren Morrissey at ADEQ (501-682-0824).

(Source: National Idling Reduction Network News, October 2005)

Washington – The Washington State Department of Ecology has requested applications from local governments for diesel emissions retrofit grants. The department expects $2 million to be available and hopes to make up to 100 awards and retrofit 1,000 vehicles statewide. For more information, contact Ann Byfield at 360-407-6851.

(Source: National Idling Reduction Network News, October 2005)

Texas – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has announced that it is accepting applications for Emission Reduction Incentive Grants for projects in the Austin area. Other grant programs will be announced later for other eligible counties. For more information, contact TERP at 800-919-8377.

(Source: National Idling Reduction Network News, October 2005)

California – The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is soliciting research suggestions for programs to advance the development of technologies associated with zero or near-zero emissions. For information, visit www.arb.ca.gov/research/apr/ideas/solicit.htm

(Source: National Idling Reduction Network News, October 2005)

Pennsylvania – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Small Business Advantage Program has announced awards to trucking companies and owner operators. A 50-50 match is required. Funding is still available under the program and grant applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through January 6, 2006. To receive an application package, call 717-783-8411 or email epaadvantagegrant@state.pa.us

(Source: National Idling Reduction Network News, October 2005)

Washington, DC – Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) has reintroduced a bill that would allow a tax credit of up to $3,500 for each truck fitted with idling reduction devices. A similar bill was introduced in 2004 but was not passed. Under the new bill, the EPA and Secretary of Energy would certify alternative idle-reduction devices to qualify for the tax credit.

(Source: Land Line, October 2005)

Washington, DC - The EPA today announced a package of $5 million in grants under the SmartWay Transport Partnership, aimed at helping to pay for technologies that save fuel and money while also reducing pollution. The grants were awarded to Texas Transportation Institute for "Truck Engine Idle Reduction Technology Demonstration Program," Ohio Department of Transportation for "Ohio and Midwest Truck Stop Electrification Corridors Demonstration, Evaluation and Development Project," Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority in Oregon for "Everybody Wins, Phase II," American Transportation Research Institute for "Demonstration of Integrated Mobile Idle Reduction Solutions," and North Carolina State University for "Truck OEM APU Prep Kit Design and Installation." EPA expects the grant recipients to begin seeking proposals to carry out the projects within six months.

(Source: EPA, October 2005)

California – The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has passed a new regulation that will forbid heavy-duty trucks with sleeper berths to idle their diesel engines for more than 5 minutes. The CARB regulation says that 2008 and subsequent model diesel engines must be equipped with a non-programmable system that shuts down the engine after idling 5 minutes. The rule will apply to current and future trucks, including those that meet the low-emissions EPA 2007 and 2010 standards. The rule will be effective in 2008 and will include trucks registered in California and out-of-state. It allows the use of CARB-approved alternative technologies for cab comfort. See www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr102405.htm

(Source: National Idling Reduction Network News, October 2005)

Pennsylvania – The Office of Energy and Technology Development is offering up to $7,500 in matching funds for the purchase and installation of idle-reduction equipment through the Small Business Advantage Program.  The program was launched in 2004, and has been extended through 2005-06.  Application forms and more details available at www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/pollprev/Ombudsman/Advantage/ADVANTAGE

(Source: State of Pennsylvania, July 2005).

Washington, DC – Five million dollars in EPA grants will be available to states, nonprofits and academic institutions to demonstrate innovative idle reduction technologies for the trucking industry. Idle reduction conserves fuel and prevents air pollution.

EPA is requesting proposals to demonstrate commercially available technologies that small trucking fleets can use to equip trucks they already own, that truck engine manufacturers can package into a simple installation for aftermarket use; or that trucks can use while parked at truck stops, terminals ports and borders.

For examples of commercially available technologies, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/smartway/idlingtechnologies.htm. The deadline for submission of proposals is June 6, 2005. EPA expects to announce the awards in fall 2005.

(Source: EPA, April 2005)

Oregon Statewide – Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality offers a Clean Diesel Pollution Control Tax Credit Program, which began in 2000.  The program offers a 35% credit against Oregon state income taxes to companies that install diesel emissions control equipment.  This includes idle-reduction solutions.  There are restrictions, such as the percentage of time the vehicle spends in Oregon.  For more information, visit www.deq.state.or.us, or call the Tax Credit Program Management Services office at 503-229-6878.

(Source: Fleet Owner, April 2005)

California – The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program provides grants to encourage repowering trucks with cleaner-burning engines and the installation of idle-reduction equipment.  Fleets can apply for grants of up to $1,600 per truck toward the installation of an approved APU.  The program is administered by the California Environmental Agency Air Resources Board (CARB) through local air districts.  The APU must be certified by the State of California, and the vehicle must be used within Californnia for a minimum of 100 hours per year for five years.  The program is funded with a budget of up to $140 million per year.  More information at www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/moyer.

(Source: Fleet Owner, April 2005)

Texas – Houston-Galveston – The Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants (ERIG) program is administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).  It offers incentive funding for idle-reduction equipment on trucks that operate primarily one of the state’s non-attainment regions (localities that do not meet the federal clean air standards).  Details at www.teeq.state.tx.us.  In addition, the Houston-Galveston Area Regional Council is also offering financial incentives to fleets seeking to install approved idle-reduction solutions.  The $35 million program includes federal Congtestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ), as well as local funding from TERP.  The trucks must travel a minimum of 12,000 miles annually in the Houston-Galveston area over five years.  See www.h-gac.com, or call 713-993-4559.

(Source: Fleet Owner, April 2005).