Through the federal Clean Diesel Program, EPA has announced that it will award grants of more than $4 million to assist eligible partners within the 10 Blue Skyways Collaborative states to achieve voluntary emissions reductions more quickly than will be accomplished through new regulations that do not affect older but still viable diesel engines.

Eligible applicants are U.S. regional, state, local, tribal or port agencies with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and nonprofit organizations or institutions that represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that operate diesel fleets, or have as their principal purpose the promotion of transportation or air quality. School districts, federally recognized Indian tribes, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), cities, and counties are all eligible applicants under this program.

"Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country," said EPA regional administrator Richard E. Greene. "Even with EPA's more stringent heavy duty highway and non-road engine standards set to take effect over the next decade, more diesel emission reductions are needed."

The following types of fleets qualify for funding: buses, medium- or heavy-duty trucks, marine engines, locomotives or non-road engines, stationary engines, or vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo, including at a port or airport, agriculture, mining, or energy production.

At least half the national funds will be for the benefit of public fleets. This includes private fleets contracted or leased for public purpose, such as private school buses, refuse haulers, or equipment at public ports.

For more information, see http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.