The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s 2018 Clean Diesel Rebate Program is now accepting applications for two types of rebate – diesel refuse truck replacements and agricultural irrigation pump diesel engine replacements. Applications must be submitted to NDEQ by December 15, 2018 to be considered.

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 and improving air quality 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 will be offered for:

Diesel Refuse Truck Replacements – Funding will assist public and private refuse haulers with the early replacement of diesel refuse trucks with new, cleaner trucks. The new trucks may be powered by diesel engines or by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines that comply with stricter nitrogen oxide emission standards. NDEQ will reimburse 35% of the cost of a new CNG-fueled refuse truck up to a maximum of $110,000, or 25% of the cost of a new diesel truck up to a maximum of $70,000. NDEQ anticipates funding five refuse truck replacements. Individual applicants may apply for a rebate for up to two trucks.

Agricultural Irrigation Pump Diesel Engine Replacement - Funding will assist farmers with the replacement of irrigation pump diesel engines with electric equipment. Diesel engines may be replaced with an electric motor to power a surface pump or by connecting an existing submersible pump directly to the electric grid. NDEQ will reimburse 60% of the cost of the electrical equipment, installation, and required electric line extension up to a maximum of $20,000. NDEQ anticipates funding twenty irrigation engine rebates.

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


* The Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate Program is separate and distinct from the Nebraska Diesel Emission Mitigation Program funded by the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust for State Beneficiaries. NDEQ has been designated to administer funds through this separate VW program, which is based on a federal court settlement. NDEQ has developed a mitigation plan to guide the use of these funds. For more information about Nebraska’s program under the VW settlement, go to:
https://dee.nebraska.gov/aid/air-loans-grants-rebates/volkswagen-environmental-mitigation-trust-fund