December 15, 2017 -- The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s 2017 Clean Diesel Rebate Program has extended the application deadline for rebates for two types of rebates – diesel refuse truck replacements, and agricultural irrigation pump diesel engine replacements. The deadline for these two categories has been extended to February 15, 2018. The application deadline for a third category, diesel school bus replacements, ended Dec. 15, 2017.

NDEQ established the Nebraska Clean Diesel Program in 2008 to distribute funding received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the purpose of reducing diesel emissions in the state.

The number of rebates offered in each category listed below may be subject to change, depending on the number of applications received in each category. Rebates continue to be offered to:

Diesel Refuse Truck Replacements – Funding will assist public and private refuse haulers with the early replacement of diesel refuse trucks with newer trucks powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines which comply with low nitrogen oxide standards, or with diesel engines. NDEQ will reimburse 35% of the base cost of a new CNG truck up to a maximum of $105,000, or 25% of the base cost of a new diesel truck up to a maximum of $70,000. NDEQ anticipates funding four refuse truck rebates.

Agricultural Irrigation Pump Diesel Engine Replacement - Funding will assist farmers with the replacement of irrigation pump diesel engines with electric motors. NDEQ will reimburse 60% of the cost of the electric motor, installation, and required electrical infrastructure (including electric line extension) up to a maximum of $16,200. NDEQ anticipates funding five irrigation engine rebates.

For the third category, Diesel School Bus Replacements, the application deadline concluded on Dec. 15, 2017, since there were ample applications received by the original deadline. In this category, funding will assist Nebraska schools with the early replacement of diesel school buses. NDEQ will reimburse 25% of the base cost of the newer, cleaner bus up to a maximum of $21,000. NDEQ anticipates funding two school bus rebates.

More information about the Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate Program, including rebate applications, can be found at NDEQ’s webpage: /aid/air-loans-grants-rebates/nebraska-clean-diesel-rebate-program.