State Clean Diesel Grant Program (66.040)
Program
66.040 State Clean Diesel Grant Program
Federal Agency
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Office: Office of Air and Radiation
Authorization
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), Title 7; The Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58; Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009; FY 2008 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
Program Number
66.040
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
Section 793 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorizes EPA to award assistance agreements to States to develop and implement such grant and low-cost revolving loan programs in the State as are appropriate to meet State needs and goals relating to the reduction of diesel emissions.
In addition, Recovery Act grants and cooperative agreements must support American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009's goals to preserve and/or create jobs and promote economic recovery; maximize job creation and economic benefit; assist those most impacted by the present economic conditions; provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; invest in transportation, environmental protection and other activities that will provide long-term economic benefits; commence expenditures and activities as quickly as possible consistent with prudent management; track and measure an applicant's progress towards achieving the Recovery Act funding priorities. Funding Priority-Fiscal Year 2009: To the extent practicable, States receiving assistance under this program shall give priority to projects which: Maximize public health benefits; Are the most cost-effective; Serve areas with the highest population density, that are poor air quality areas (including nonattainment or maintenance of national ambient air quality standards for a criteria pollutant; Federal Class I areas; or areas with toxic air pollutant concerns); Serve areas that receive a disproportionate quantity of air pollution from diesel fleets, including truck stops, ports, rail yards, terminals, and distribution centers or that use a community-based multi-stakeholder collaborative process to reduce toxic emissions; Include a certified engine configuration, verified technology, or emerging technology that has a long expected useful life; Maximize the useful life of any certified engine configuration, verified technology, or emerging technology used or funded by the eligible entity; Conserve diesel fuel; and Utilize ultra low sulfur diesel fuel (15 parts per million of sulfur content) ahead of EPA's mandate (for nonroad projects).
Types of Assistance
Formula Grants
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support the development and implementation of such grant and low-cost revolving loan programs in a State as are appropriate to meet State needs and goals relating to the reduction of diesel emissions. A grant or loan funded by the State using funds from the DERA State Program may be used for a project relating to a certified engine configuration or a verified technology. Funds received under Subtitle G of the Energy Policy Act (Diesel Emissions Reduction) may not be used to pay a matching share under this program or fund any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool. Funds may be used for projects involving EPA-verified and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB) -listed diesel emissions reduction technologies and/or EPA certified engines, or emerging diesel emissions reduction technologies or strategies.
In addition, Recovery Act grants and cooperative agreements must support American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009's goals to preserve and/or create jobs and promote economic recovery; maximize job creation and economic benefit; assist those most impacted by the present economic conditions; provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; invest in transportation, environmental protection and other activities that will provide long-term economic benefits; commence expenditures and activities as quickly as possible consistent with prudent management; track and measure an applicant's progress towards achieving the Recovery Act funding priorities. Funds received under Subtitle G of the Energy Policy Act (Diesel Emissions Reduction) may not be used to pay a matching share under this program or fund any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is available to the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State, Local, Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization, Anyone/General Public.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs for State governments will be determined in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-87, found at 2 CFR 225. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. Standard Form 424 is also available for download at EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment (OGD) web site, http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm, from www.grants.gov, or from EPA Regional Collaborative assistance agreement websites. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. The Application Procedure will be outlined in the Federal Register Notice of Availability of Funds.
Award Procedure
EPA's Office of Air and Radiation and/or the 10 EPA Regions will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the Federal Register Notice of Availability of Funds for this program.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 180 days after the request for applications.
Appeals
Disputes will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.
Renewals
Permitted. Generally, EPA incrementally funds cooperative agreements. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the projects to EPA's priorities, availability of funds, and Agency policy on the cooperative agreement process as outlined in the Federal Register Notice of Availability of Funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Title Subtitle G – Diesel Emissions Reduction, Section 793(c)(2).
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance agreements funded under this program may have up to a seven-year project period. Applicants will be notified of an award in accordance with the information specified in the Federal Register Notice of Availability of Funds. Recovery Act Funding assistance agreements will have a project period from approximately March 26, 2009 to September 30, 2010. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Assistance agreements may be incrementally (quarterly) or fully (lump sum) funded.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantees are required to submit program reports in accordance with Agency policy and the Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 and OMB Circular No.A-102.
In addition, Grantees of Recovery Act assistance agreements are required to submit program reports in accordance with Recovery Act requirements, OMB and Agency guidance. Grantees are required to submit financial reports in accordance with Agency policy and the Financial Reporting and Financial Management Systems requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 and OMB Circular No.A-102.
In addition, Grantees of Recovery Act assistance agreements are required to submit financial reports in accordance with Recovery Act requirements, OMB and Agency guidance. Grantees are required to submit progress reports in accordance with Agency policy and the Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 and OMB Circular No.A-102.
In addition, Grantees of Recovery Act assistance agreements are required to submit progress reports to recovery.gov and EPA in accordance with Recovery Act requirements, OMB and Agency guidance. No expenditure reports are required. Grantees are required to perform performance monitoring in accordance with Agency policy and requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 and OMB Circular No.A-102.
In addition, Grantees of Recovery Act assistance agreements are required to comply with Recovery Act requirements, OMB and Agency guidance.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
In accordance with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, OMB guidance and Agency policies; EPA Office of Inspector General, EPA's program and administrative staff are committed to increased auditing and oversight of all Recovery Act assistance agreements to ensure all funds are used appropriately and accounted for.
Records
Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries in accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipient grants and cooperative agreement records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of the final expenditure reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of an audit remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: In FY 2008, all 50 States participated in the program. Each State was awarded a cooperative agreement for clean diesel activities. Thirty-two States matched the EPA base funds and received the incentive funds. For a complete list of State Clean Diesel program cooperative agreements, visit www.epa.gov/cleandiesel and click on "State Program.". Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-0-1-304.
Obligations
(Salaries) FY 08 $14,800,000; FY 09 est $18,000,000; FY 10 est $18,000,000 - FY 08 - $14.8 million; FY 09 - $18 million; FY 2010 - $18 million (projected); Recovery Act - $88,230,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
There is no minimum or maximum amount of assistance. The range is estimated from $300,000 to $3,000,000 with an average award of $300,000, depending on the number of States participating. In FY 2008, the base funding was $197,600. The incentive for matching was $98,440. Recovery Act funding for the 50 states and the District of Columbia is totaled at $88,230,000 or $1,730,000 each.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
State Clean Diesel Grant Program grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA's general grant regulations (40 CFR Part 31). Guidelines for applying for funds under this program will be published in the Federal Register. In addition, Recovery Act grants and cooperative agreements must comply the terms of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as well as OMB's Agency guidance for implementing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Related Programs
66.034 Surveys, Studies, Research, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act; 66.039 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. EPA encourages potential applicants to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog or Jennifer Keller.
Headquarters Office
Jennifer Keller US Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mail Code: 6405J, , Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: keller.jennifer@epa.gov Phone: (202) 343-9541
Web Site Address
http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2008: States may use funds under this program to develop and implement grant and loan programs that are designed to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions and are appropriate to meet State needs and goals relating to the reduction of diesel emissions. State grant and loan programs may fund projects relating to a certified engine configuration or a verified technology for vehicles, engines and equipment, including: buses; medium-duty or heavy-duty trucks; marine engines; locomotives; and nonroad engines or vehicles used in: i) construction; ii) handling or cargo (including at a port or airport); iii) agriculture; iv)mining; or v) energy production. Projects under the State's grant program may include, but are not limited to, a variety of diesel emissions reductions solutions such as: add-on emission control retrofit technologies; idle reduction technologies; cleaner fuel use; engine repowers; engine upgrades; and/or vehicle or equipment replacement; and the creation of low-cost revolving loan programs to finance diesel emissions reduction projects. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The evaluation and selection criteria for awards under this CFDA description will be described in the Federal Register Notice of Availability of Funds.
