Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA OAR OTAQ 20 02
The 2020 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants program is a nationwide funding opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), run through the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, to support projects that deliver meaningful, measurable reductions in diesel emissions. The program is aimed at cutting pollution from diesel engines that contribute to health and air quality problems, especially in places already facing higher pollution burdens. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning EPA expects an active partnership role in overseeing how projects are carried out and how results are tracked.
The scope of equipment covered is broad and reflects where diesel pollution is most common. Eligible targets include diesel buses; Class 5 through Class 8 heavy-duty highway vehicles; marine engines; locomotives; and a wide range of nonroad engines, vehicles, and equipment used in sectors like construction, cargo handling, agriculture, mining, and energy production. In practice, that means applicants can propose projects that address everything from transit and school bus fleets to port drayage trucks, diesel cargo equipment, and industrial or agricultural machines that run for long hours and often operate near communities.
DERA-funded projects can use a variety of EPA-recognized approaches to reduce emissions, with an emphasis on proven, verified, or certified solutions. Eligible measures include verified retrofit technologies such as exhaust after-treatment systems and engine upgrades, as well as cleaner fuels and fuel additives when they are part of a verified strategy. The solicitation also allows verified idle reduction technologies that cut emissions from unnecessary engine idling, along with verified aerodynamic technologies and verified low rolling resistance tires that improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollution. Beyond retrofits, the program supports certified engine replacements and conversions and, in some cases, full certified vehicle or equipment replacement, which can deliver large emissions benefits when older, higher-emitting units are retired.
Eligibility to apply is limited to public and mission-driven organizations positioned to implement fleet-focused pollution reduction programs. Eligible applicants include regional, state, or local agencies; Tribal governments (including intertribal consortia); Native villages; and port authorities that have jurisdiction related to transportation or air quality. Nonprofit organizations and institutions may also apply if they either represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to diesel fleets, or if their principal purpose is advancing transportation or air quality. Private fleet owners cannot apply directly to EPA under this national competition, but they can still benefit because grant recipients can design programs that provide upgrades, replacements, or other emission-reduction actions for both public and private fleets operating within the project area.
EPA signals clear funding priorities to steer resources toward the highest-need and highest-impact locations. Priority is given to fleets operating in areas designated as having poor air quality, as well as fleets serving goods movement facilities such as ports and freight corridors where diesel activity is concentrated. Additional priority is given to projects that produce direct benefits for affected communities, that meaningfully involve those communities in the design and implementation of the work, and that demonstrate an ability to sustain emissions-reduction efforts after the grant period ends. In other words, proposals are stronger when they combine technical emission reductions with community-centered planning and a realistic plan for long-term continuation.
Key administrative details include the opportunity title, 2020 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants, and the funding opportunity number EPA OAR OTAQ 20 02. It is a discretionary environmental assistance program (CFDA 66.039) administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. The notice was created on December 9, 2019, with an original closing date of February 26, 2020 (with applicants directed to confirm deadline details in Section IV of the solicitation). The maximum award amount listed is $4,000,000, and EPA anticipated making approximately 80 awards under this competition.Apply for EPA OAR OTAQ 20 02
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2020 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.039.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 09, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 26, 2020 See Section IV of the solicitation for close date information.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 80 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 2020 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants
What is the 2020 DERA National Grants program?
The 2020 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants program is a nationwide funding opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), administered through the Office of Transportation and Air Quality. It supports projects that deliver meaningful, measurable reductions in diesel emissions.
What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The goal is to reduce pollution from diesel engines that contribute to health and air quality problems, with a focus on places already facing higher pollution burdens. Projects are expected to show measurable diesel emissions reductions.
Which EPA office runs this program?
The program is run through EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality.
How is the funding awarded (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Funding is provided through cooperative agreements. That means EPA expects to play an active partnership role, including oversight of how projects are carried out and how results are tracked.
What types of diesel sources or equipment can be included in projects?
The eligible scope is broad and includes diesel buses; Class 5 through Class 8 heavy-duty highway vehicles; marine engines; locomotives; and many types of nonroad engines, vehicles, and equipment used in construction, cargo handling, agriculture, mining, and energy production.
Can projects include transit or school bus fleets?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes diesel buses, which in practice can cover fleet-focused proposals such as transit and school bus fleets.
Can projects target goods movement and port-related equipment?
Yes. The scope includes equipment commonly found around goods movement facilities, including port drayage trucks and diesel cargo equipment, and EPA also lists goods movement facilities (such as ports and freight corridors) as priority areas.
What kinds of emissions-reduction strategies are eligible?
DERA-funded projects can use a range of EPA-recognized approaches emphasizing proven, verified, or certified solutions. Eligible measures include verified retrofit technologies, cleaner fuels and fuel additives when part of a verified strategy, verified idle reduction technologies, verified aerodynamic technologies, verified low rolling resistance tires, certified engine replacements and conversions, and in some cases full certified vehicle or equipment replacement.
Are retrofit technologies allowed under this program?
Yes. Eligible measures include verified retrofit technologies such as exhaust after-treatment systems and engine upgrades.
Are cleaner fuels and fuel additives eligible?
Cleaner fuels and fuel additives are eligible when they are part of a verified strategy.
Is idle reduction an eligible project activity?
Yes. The solicitation allows verified idle reduction technologies designed to cut emissions from unnecessary engine idling.
Are fuel-saving technologies like aerodynamics and tires eligible?
Yes. Verified aerodynamic technologies and verified low rolling resistance tires are included as eligible measures because they can improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollution.
Does the program support engine replacements or conversions?
Yes. The program supports certified engine replacements and conversions.
Can a project replace entire vehicles or equipment?
In some cases, yes. The solicitation allows full certified vehicle or equipment replacement, particularly where retiring older, higher-emitting units can deliver large emissions benefits.
Who is eligible to apply for the 2020 DERA National Grants?
Eligibility is limited to public and mission-driven organizations. Eligible applicants include regional, state, or local agencies; Tribal governments (including intertribal consortia); Native villages; and port authorities with relevant jurisdiction related to transportation or air quality. Certain nonprofit organizations and institutions may also apply if they meet the criteria described in the solicitation summary.
Can Tribal governments apply?
Yes. Tribal governments, including intertribal consortia, are listed as eligible applicants. Native villages are also included.
Are port authorities eligible applicants?
Yes. Port authorities that have jurisdiction related to transportation or air quality are eligible to apply.
Can nonprofit organizations apply?
Yes, nonprofits and institutions may apply if they either represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to diesel fleets, or if their principal purpose is advancing transportation or air quality.
Can private fleet owners apply directly to EPA under this national competition?
No. Private fleet owners cannot apply directly to EPA under this national competition.
Can private fleets still benefit from the program?
Yes. Even though private fleet owners cannot apply directly, grant recipients can design programs that provide upgrades, replacements, or other emission-reduction actions for both public and private fleets operating within the project area.
What types of locations or projects does EPA prioritize?
EPA gives priority to fleets operating in areas designated as having poor air quality and to fleets serving goods movement facilities such as ports and freight corridors where diesel activity is concentrated.
Does EPA prioritize benefits to communities affected by diesel pollution?
Yes. Additional priority is given to projects that produce direct benefits for affected communities, meaningfully involve those communities in the design and implementation of the work, and show an ability to sustain emissions-reduction efforts after the grant period ends.
What does "meaningful community involvement" imply in this opportunity?
Based on the stated priorities, stronger proposals are those that involve affected communities in designing and implementing the project, alongside the technical work of reducing diesel emissions.
Is long-term sustainability of the emissions-reduction work important?
Yes. EPA indicates that proposals are stronger when they include a realistic plan for continuing emissions-reduction efforts after the grant period ends.
What is the official title of the funding opportunity?
The opportunity title is "2020 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is EPA OAR OTAQ 20 02.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
This is a discretionary environmental assistance program under CFDA 66.039.
Which federal agency administers this program?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers this program.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on December 9, 2019.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date listed is February 26, 2020. Applicants were directed to confirm deadline details in Section IV of the solicitation.
Where should applicants confirm the deadline details?
Applicants are directed to confirm deadline details in Section IV of the solicitation.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount listed is $4,000,000.
How many awards did EPA anticipate making?
EPA anticipated making approximately 80 awards under this competition.
Is this a nationwide opportunity or limited to certain states?
It is described as a nationwide funding opportunity.
What makes a project a good fit for this program based on the description?
A good fit is a fleet-focused project that uses proven, verified, or certified emissions-reduction approaches and delivers measurable diesel emissions reductions, especially when the project targets poor air quality areas or goods movement hubs and includes community-centered planning plus a plan to sustain benefits after the grant period.
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