The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is encouraging Michigan schools, municipalities, organizations, and businesses to apply for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant to replace old diesel engines with newer, cleaner-burning engines. Applications are being accepted now through November 16, 2011.
The DERA is part of the National Clean Diesel Campaign initiated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help owners upgrade their equipment so that less efficient diesel engines are retired and replaced by cleaner-burning models. The DEQ is coordinating the grant process.
The grant provides options to replace entire engines, equipment or vehicles or to install exhaust control equipment on existing diesel engines. Both installation and replacement options improve air quality and reduce health risks for communities located in or near industrial pollution sources or high-use roadways.
The DEQ is encouraging all Michigan municipalities, townships and villages, county and non-profit agencies, school districts, municipal planning organizations, and private industries to apply for grant funds totaling approximately $775,000. To assist with the grant application process, the DEQ is hosting a half-day training session in Lansing on October 13, 2011.
Vehicles eligible for the DERA grant include: school buses; medium and heavy duty trucks; municipal buses, and marine, agricultural, energy production, mining and construction vehicles, and equipment.
You can find more information and the application online by visiting Michigan’s Clean Diesel Initiative Web site at www.michigan.gov/air and selecting “Clean Diesel Initiative in Michigan” from the middle of the page. For further information, contact Donna Davis at davisd8@michigan.gov or 517-335-2784.