Air Pollution Control Program
National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program
The National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program contains the majority of funds appropriated to the Diesel Emission Reduction Act, also referred to as DERA. The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, directly distributes funding for eligible projects. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Air Pollution Control Program typically applies for funding under this program, often partnering with eligible and non-eligible entities.
An application must meet two criteria in order to be considered eligible by EPA:
- The application must be submitted by an eligible entity. An eligible entity is a regional, state, local or tribal agency or port authority 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 may partner with an eligible entity that submits the application and assumes responsibility for the project.
- The application submitted must propose to implement an eligible project using eligible emission reduction strategies.
The Air Pollution Control Program has successfully applied for funding under this program several times in the past. The Air Program typically tries to partner with interested fleet owners and operators located in air quality challenged areas of the state. Partnering with the Air Pollution Control Program helps eligible entities avoid having to develop a detailed application and proposal for a project. The Air Program has previously partnered with public school districts, public transportation agencies and public works organizations.
If you have any questions about the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program and the Air Program’s involvement, email question to the Air Program. Include your name, your organization’s name, telephone number and an email address and allow at least two to three weeks for a response.
More information about this program and information about how to apply for funding directly from EPA is available on EPA’s website.
For future year funding, the Air Program is gauging the interest level from fleets located in Missouri. The different types of fleets the Air Program plans to target in future opportunities include:
School Buses | Marine Engines | Locomotives | Information for other Fleet Owners
Interested School Bus Owners and Operators
School buses operating on diesel fuel expose students to diesel exhaust, which contributes to and causes numerous negative health effects for young people. Children are much more susceptible to the negative effects of diesel emissions because they breathe at a faster rate than adults and because their respiratory and immune systems are still developing.
The Air Program invites Missouri school districts with diesel school bus fleets to partner on this upcoming round of competitive funding. To be considered for a partner with the Air Program, the school district must fill out a fleet description sheet. To receive a blank fleet description sheet, email the Air Program. Typically, if a district is willing to install the equipment with their own resources, it strengthens the application, giving it a better chance to be selected to receive funding. Include your school district’s name, your name, telephone number and email address in the email .
If the Air Program decides to partner with your school district on an application under this program, the Air Program will coordinate with your district to determine an appropriate level of funding to request in order to successfully implement the project. In addition, your school district would be required to write a letter of commitment detailing your district’s commitment to pursue the project if it is selected for an award by the EPA.
Interested Marine Engine Owners and Operators
Marine engines emit disproportionately large amounts of diesel emissions. There are many ports located along the Mississippi River where tugboats operate nearly around the clock. Emission reduction strategies for marine engines can provide tremendous air quality benefits resulting in increased protection of public health.
The Air Program invites marine engine owners and operators located in Missouri to be considered for a partner on this upcoming round of competitive funding. In order to be considered for a partner with the Air Program on an application under this program, the organization must fill out a fleet description sheet. To receive a blank fleet description sheet, email the Air Program. Include your organization’s name, your name, telephone number and email address in the email. If your organization would be willing to provide any resources as match to supplement the project, include this information in the body of your email as well. Fleet owner match, while not required by EPA, except for repowers and replacements, will boost the project’s cost effectiveness, thus strengthening the application, which would increase the chances of receiving funding for the project.
If the Air Program decides to partner with your organization on an application under this program, then the Air Program will coordinate with your organization to determine an appropriate level of funding to request in order to successfully implement the project. In addition, your organization would be required to write a letter of commitment detailing your organization’s commitment to pursue the project if it is selected for an award by the EPA.
Interested Locomotive Fleet Owners and Operators
Locomotive engines emit disproportionately large amounts of diesel emissions as well. There are many rail yards located in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas. These yards each have numerous switch engine locomotives that operate nearly around the clock. Emission reduction strategies for locomotives can provide tremendous air quality benefits resulting in increased protection of public health.
The Air Program invites locomotive owners and operators with fleets located in Missouri to be considered for a partner on this upcoming round of competitive funding. In order to be considered for a partner with the Air Program on an application under this program, the organization must fill out a fleet 
description sheet. To receive a blank fleet description sheet, email the Air Program. Include your organization's name, your name, telephone number and email address in the email. If your organization would be willing to provide any resources as match to supplement the project, include this information in the body of your email as well. Fleet owner match, while not required by EPA, except for repowers and replacements, will boost the project’s cost effectiveness, thus strengthening the application, which would increase the chances of receiving funding for the project.
If the Air Program decides to partner with your organization on an application under this program, then the Air Program will coordinate with your organization to determine an appropriate level of funding to request in order to successfully implement the project. In addition, your organization would be required to write a letter of commitment detailing your organization’s commitment to pursue the project if it is selected for an award by the EPA.
Other interested Fleet Owners and Operators
The Air Program would also consider partnering with other diesel fleets on future DERA grant opportunties, including refuse haulers, dump trucks and construction equipment. If interested in partnering with the department or another eligible entity under a future National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, you may fill out a fleet description sheet detailing the project that you wish to apply for. The Air Program may possibly consider partnering with your organization in a future grant. If the Air Program decides not to partner with your organization it would be the program's intention to possibly provide your organization with another eligible entity that might be willing to apply on your behalf if your organization is not eligible to apply on its own.
To receive a blank fleet description sheet, email the Air Program with your request. Include your organization's name, your name, telephone number with area code and email address in the email.
