The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) has $400,000 available in federal grants to reduce diesel emissions in Nebraska. NDEQ is now seeking proposals from private and public organizations who would use these funds to retrofit diesel vehicles with emission control equipment.

Grant proposals must be submitted to NDEQ by March 16, 2009. Those seeking more information about how to apply for these grants should visit NDEQ’s web site at https://dee.nebraska.gov/home, go to the Request for Proposals portion of the web site, and select Nebraska Clean Diesel Grant Program.

Background of the Clean Diesel Grant Program
On September 15, 2008 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded NDEQ a $400,000 two-year grant aimed at reducing diesel emissions in the state.

The 2008 grant to Nebraska comes through EPA’s State Clean Diesel Grant Program, a program for states interested in establishing state diesel emissions reduction programs. NDEQ is partnering in these efforts with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department and the Douglas County Health Department.

Emission reduction efforts under the Nebraska grant will involve school buses and trucks in both the government and private sectors, concentrating on densely populated areas of the state. The Nebraska grant program concentrates primarily on the retrofitting of diesel engines. This process results in a reduction of 44 percent in total emissions after retrofit on most diesel engines, according to manufacturer’s and EPA specifications.

Both private and public organizations are eligible to submit grant requests. NDEQ will provide funding assistance to cover up to 100% of the cost of retrofits.

For complete information on the National Clean Diesel Campaign, visit the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/index.htm .