EGLE offers grants for new diesel engines

EGLE offers grants for new diesel engines, alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles and equipment

A total of $322,800 is available for clean diesel and alternative fuel engine and equipment replacement projects under a competitive grant request for proposals (RFP) announced today by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

The 2020-22 Michigan Clean Diesel Program RFP targets efforts to replace old diesel equipment, vehicles and engines with new diesel, alternative fuel, electric or hybrid versions. Cities, townships, villages, county governmental agencies, public school districts, private schools, public transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, nonprofit organizations or private businesses can apply for the grants.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Jan. 28, 2021. Projects must be completed by August 2022 and fall into one of two categories:

• Vehicle Replacement: Funding may cover up to 25 percent of the cost of eligible diesel vehicle replacements, up to 35 percent of the cost of eligible vehicles that meet the California Air Resource Board’s optional low oxides of nitrogen standards and up to 45 percent of the cost of an all-electric vehicle replacement. Eligible drayage vehicle replacement may be funded up to 50 percent.
• Engine Replacement: Funding includes, but is not limited to, replacing diesel engines with an engine certified for use with diesel or an alternative fuel (e.g., compressed natural gas or propane) or a zero tailpipe emissions power source (grid battery or fuel cell). Funding for engine replacement may cover up to 40 percent for diesel or alternative fuel engines, 50 percent for low-nitrogen oxide and up to 60 percent for replacement with zero emission engines.

A webinar explaining the 2020-22 Michigan Clean Diesel Grant Program’s “Guidelines for Grant Application” is scheduled for 2-3 p.m. Jan. 5, 2021. Eligible diesel vehicles, engines and equipment: Buses, Class 5-8 heavy-duty highway vehicles, marine engines, locomotives and nonroad engines and equipment or vehicles used in construction or handling of cargo (including at a port or airport) are eligible.

The project is funded with state and federal money, with the federal portion provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.

Visit the Michigan Clean Diesel Program website to download the RFP application.

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