Maine's Clean Diesel Program

Reducing emissions from diesel engines is an important goal for improving air quality. In 2005, U.S. Congress passed the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) which was reauthorized in 2010. The intent of DERA is to reduce public health risk from exposure to harmful diesel exhaust by reducing emissions from more polluting diesel engines that do not meet current federal emission standards. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for overseeing and distributing DERA funds. EPA has additional information about the federal DERA program on their website. According to EPA, every $1 dollar spent on DERA upgrades has resulted in $13 worth of health and environmental benefits.

There are four different pools of funding within DERA, each receiving a percentage of the total DERA funds appropriated by Congress each year: 60% National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, 30% State Allocated DERA Funding, 6% SmartWay Innovative Finance Program, and 4% Emerging Technology Program, as illustrated below.

State Allocated DERA Funding

Approximately 30% of the DERA funding is allocated to the State DERA Program which is non-competitive funding divided evenly among all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and US territories, which choose to participate.  The Mobile Sources Section of the Bureau of Air Quality is responsible for implementing and overseeing Maine's allocated funding for the Maine Clean Diesel Program.

Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking applications for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions from older diesel engines and vehicles in areas that receive a high quantity of air pollution from diesel fleets, including ports, school yards/bus depots, rail yards, and construction sites to submit proposals.  Grant funding is available in accordance with the State DERA program using funds from the Volkswagen settlement.  Project applications include replacing or repowering marine vessels, vehicles and equipment.  Find more information on project eligibility and comparison with projects eligible under Appendix D of the Volkswagen Consent Decree.

Maine Clean Diesel Program	FY 2017
EPA Base Allocation	$266,036
State Matching Funds	$500,000
EPA Match Incentive	$113,018
Mandatory Cost Share	$1,192,752
TOTAL	$2,031,806

To apply for grant funding please contact Lynne Cayting 207-287-7599.

Past State DERA Projects

Maine Clean Diesel Program  FY 2016	Federal	Cost Share
MMTA/Marine Engine Repower 3 vessels	$104,515	$156,773
CM&QR Locomotive  6 APUs	$109,698	$164,547
Total	$214,213	$321,320

Maine Clean Diesel Program  FY 2015	Federal	Cost Share
MMTA/Marine Engine Repower 4 vessels	$117,186	$175,779
Total	$117,186	$175,779

Maine Clean Diesel Program  FY 2014	Federal	Cost Share
MMTA/Marine Engine Repower 2 vessels	$51,307	$76,962
Scarborough Propane Buses	$26,684	$153,316
Total	$77,991	$230,278

Maine Clean Diesel Program  FY 2013	Federal	Cost Share
MSAD #9 - 4 Propane School Buses	$60,000	$224,974
Marine Engine Repower 1 vessel	$48,849	$73,273
Total	$109,509	$298,247

Maine Clean Diesel Program  FY 2012	Federal	Cost Share
MSAD #59 - 3 Propane Buses	$45,495	$104,086
Marine Engine Repower 2 vessels	$63,603	$95,404
School Bus 35 Auxiliary Heaters	$70,000
Total	$179,098	$200,510

 

National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program

The National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program is a competitive grant program. Approximately 60 percent of the DERA funding is allocated to this pool of funding each year.  The following entities are eligible to apply for funding under this program: regional, state, local or tribal agencies or port authorities 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 own or operate diesel fleets, or have as their principle purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality.  Non-eligible entities are allowed to partner with an eligible entity to apply for a project; however, the eligible entity must submit the application to EPA and assume responsibility for the project.

The following types of projects are eligible uses of funding through this program: EPA or California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified emission control retrofits, EPA or CARB verified idle reduction technologies, the incremental cost difference for alternative fueled vehicles, EPA certified engine repowers, and early vehicle replacements.

In past years the Mobile Sources Program has partnered with public and private fleet owners, as well as non-profit organizations.

Past National Competitive DERA Grants

2012 National Clean Diesel Program	Federal	Cost Share	Total
4 CNG School Buses Portland Schools	$132,173	$396,519	$528,692
Repower McAllister Tug Boat	$1,235,197	$1,235,197	$2,470,394
Replace 2 gensets	$20,000	$60,000	$80,000
Total	$1,387,370	$1,691,716	$3,079,086

2011 National Clean Diesel Program	Federal	Cost Share	Total
Clean Marine Engine Program
Repowered MSFS Governor Curtis	$139,075	$189,075	$328,150
Pink Lady II Whale Watch Boat	$110,925	$110,925	$221,850
Total	$250,000	$300,000	$550,000

2010 National Clean Diesel Program	Federal	Cost Share	Total
Clean Marine Engine Program/22 boats	$589,064	$732,544	$1,321,608
Total	$589,064	$732,544	$1,321,608

ARRA 2009 National Clean Diesel Program	Federal	Cost Share	Total
Clean Construction Project	$741,768.64	$260,970.44	$1,002,739.08
Total	$741,768.64	$260,970.44	$1,002,739.08