The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s 2017 Clean Diesel Rebate Program is now accepting applications to receive rebates for three types of programs – school bus replacements, diesel refuse truck replacements, and agricultural irrigation pump diesel engine replacements. Applications must be submitted to NDEQ by December 15, 2017 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 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 to:

Diesel School Bus Replacements – 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.

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. NDEQ will reimburse 35% of the base cost of the newer, cleaner truck up to a maximum of $105,000. 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.

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.



* The Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate program is separate and distinct from the new Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund. NDEQ has been designated to administer funds through this separate VW program, which is based on a federal court settlement. NDEQ is developing a mitigation plan for these funds, and is soliciting public input in the process. For more information about Nebraska’s portion of the VW settlement, go to: /aid/air-loans-grants-rebates/volkswagen-environmental-mitigation-trust-fund