Revolving Grants

EPA Clean school bus Rebate program

FTA Low or No Emission and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Programs

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)

https://www.epa.gov/dera/national

Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Funding

The third proposal period for VW funding is now CLOSED. We will share updates as they become available.

In 2017, Volkswagen AG (VW) agreed to plead guilty to charges that it installed software in its model year 2009-2015 2.0-liter diesel cars and 3.0-liter diesel cars that circumvented EPA emissions standards using a “defeat device.” These vehicles emit up to 40 times more pollution than emissions standards allow in the form of nitrogen oxides (NOx), a pollutant that harms public health and contributes to ozone or smog formation.

As part of a settlement, states are eligible to receive funds to pay all or part of the cost of projects to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles and to install electric vehicle charging stations.

SCHOOL BUSES

The state's plan gives first consideration "to replacement or repowering of school buses owned or used by Louisiana school districts with newer, cleaner vehicles, and/or new cleaner-burning engines." These funds will not be used for fleet expansion. The goal is to get older, polluting vehicles off the road and replace them with new, cleaner options. The amount of funding that the state is proposing for school bus replacements are as follows:

1. 25% matching funds will be given for the replacement or repowering of eligible buses with newer cleaner-burning diesel.

2. 50% matching funds will be given for the replacement of eligible buses with eligible alternate fuels powered buses, including CNG, propane, or Electric.

FUNDING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE (EVSE)

The state's plan also includes language which allows the state to utilize "up to 15% of its allocation of Mitigation Trust funds on the costs necessary for, and directly connected to, the acquisition, installation, operation and maintenance of new, light-duty, zero-emission vehicle supply equipment for projects..." Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is the only type of fueling infrastructure allowed under the VW Settlement.

Under National VW Settlement Guidelines, level 2 and DC Fast Chargers can be funded at the following levels:

• Up to 100% of the cost to purchase, install and maintain eligible light-duty electric vehicle supply equipment that will be available to the public at a Government-Owned Property.

• Up to 80% of the cost to purchase, install and maintain eligible light-duty electric vehicle supply equipment that will be available to the public at a Non-Government Owned Property.

• Up to 60% of the cost to purchase, install and maintain eligible light-duty electric vehicle supply equipment that is available at a workplace but not to the general public.

The lead agency has put a priority on Public EVSE infrastructure applications from state agencies and other government entities. Proposals from private entities will also be considered. Application guidance has been issued by the LDEQ and can be found on their website. If you would like assistance with preparing your proposal, please email Tyler Herrmann with Louisiana Clean Fuels at [email protected]. To view the state's plan and for more information, visit the LDEQ's Volkswagen page. For more information or to comment on the state's plan, please email [email protected].

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Louisiana Clean Diesel Grant Program (DERA)

Project Period

To the extent resources are available, EPA finalizes program awards by October 1 of every year. The LDEQ anticipates that applications for the state DERA funds will be received, evaluated and awarded by the end of the calendar year. All funded projects must be completed by September 30 of the following year.

Summary Statement

The LDEQ will award competitive grants to eligible organizations for projects that maximize the benefits to public health, create and/or sustain existing jobs, and reduce diesel emissions in Louisiana. Awarded grants will achieve diesel emissions reductions by retrofitting, upgrading, replacing, or reducing idling from on-road and off-road diesel engines and equipment. All projects shall use EPA or California Air Resource Board (CARB) Verified Technologies.

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Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program

1. Funding agency: US DOT/ FTA

2. Open date: TBD

3. Eligible entities

• Eligible applicants for the Buses and Bus Facilities Program include designated recipients that allocate funds to fixed-route bus operators, States (including territories and Washington D.C.) or local governmental entities that operate fixed route bus service, and Indian tribes.

• Eligible subrecipients include all otherwise eligible applicants and also private nonprofit organizations engaged in public transportation.  

4. What the funding will pay for:

1. Capital projects to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses, vans, and related equipment, and to construct bus-related facilities, including technological changes or innovations to modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities. Additionally, 0.5% of a request may be for workforce development training, and an additional 0.5% may be for training at the National Transit Institute. Applicants proposing any project related to zero-emission vehicles must also spend 5% of their award on workforce development and training as outlined in their Zero-Emission Transition Plan, unless the applicant certifies that their financial need is less.

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Additional Funding Resources

Explore the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Clean Cities and Communities Financial Opportunities page for additional current and upcoming funding opportunities for clean transportation projects.  Additionally, the Alternative Fuel Data Center's Laws and Incentives Database for Federal and local incentives for switching to cleaner fuels.

EPA Funding Announcements from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/epa-funding-announcements-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation

EERE Funding Opportunity Announcements: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx