The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is convening four meetings from late March through mid-April to explain how American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for diesel emission reduction will be used in Nebraska. The meetings will provide information on grant opportunities available.

NDEQ was informed that Nebraska will receive $1.73 million in Recovery Act funds for use in the state program portion of the federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). The objective of this portion of the Recovery Act is to stimulate the economy, create and/or preserve jobs, and reduce diesel emissions.

The purpose of the meetings will be to explain the grants process, the types of projects that are eligible, and the process for submitting grant applications. Both public and private entities are eligible to apply.

The locations, dates and times of the meetings are:
 

Omaha – March 27, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District offices at 8901 S. 154th St.

Lincoln – April 7, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Lancaster County Extension Office conference room, 444 Cherrycreek Road.

Norfolk – April 9, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Northeast Community College Lifelong Learning Center, 601 East Benjamin Avenue.

Kearney – April 14, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Kearney Holiday Inn and Convention Center, 110 Second Ave.

The Recovery Act funds will supplement ongoing diesel reduction efforts that have been occurring cooperatively between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NDEQ and public and private entities.

NDEQ Director Mike Linder said the $1.73 million in Recovery Act funds will significantly strengthen the ongoing efforts in Nebraska to reduce diesel pollution and improve air quality.

Many types of eligible projects will be encouraged through this grant application process. The types of projects that NDEQ will be focusing efforts on include:
 

1. using retrofit technologies to reduce diesel emissions from large vehicles such as buses and trucks;
2. diesel exhaust controls;
3. idle reduction technologies; and
4. engine upgrades and replacement.

Examples of fleets that could benefit by the technologies include: school buses, transit buses, medium duty truck, heavy duty truck, construction and agriculture.

NDEQ intends to issue a public notice by April 18, seeking grant applications. Proposals would be due to the agency by June 30, 2009.

More detailed information, including applications, will soon be made available at DEQ’s web site, https://dee.nebraska.gov/home. For more information about Nebraska’s Diesel Program contact the Air Quality Division at (402) 471-2189.