Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA OAR OTAQ 17 04

The Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2017 is a competitive federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically through EPAs Office of Air and Radiation and its Office of Transportation and Air Quality. It was released as a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: EPA OAR OTAQ 17 04) and is administered through cooperative agreements, which generally means awardees can expect active involvement and oversight from EPA during project implementation rather than a hands-off grant structure. The program is tied to CFDA 66.039 and focuses on practical, measurable actions that cut pollution from diesel engines across the United States.

At its core, the program seeks proposals that deliver significant reductions in diesel emissions, measured both by the total tons of pollution reduced and by reductions in human exposure to diesel exhaust. The emphasis is not only on cutting emissions in the abstract, but on targeting places where diesel pollution is most concentrated and most harmful to public health. In particular, EPA highlights fleets that operate at, serve, or move through goods movement facilities, such as ports, freight hubs, distribution centers, rail yards, and other logistics corridors, especially when those facilities are located in areas designated as having poor air quality. The practical takeaway is that projects tied to freight and logistics operations in nonattainment or otherwise high-pollution areas are a central priority because they can produce large, verifiable benefits.

EPA also indicates that funding priority may be given to proposals that show clear benefits for affected communities and that take community engagement seriously. That includes projects designed with input from the people most impacted by diesel emissions, as well as efforts that keep communities informed about what is being deployed, where, and how performance will be tracked. In addition to community benefit and engagement, EPA signals a preference for projects that demonstrate durability, meaning applicants should show how the emissions-reduction work will continue after the federal funding period ends. This could involve commitments to maintain cleaner equipment, establish ongoing replacement or retrofit plans, build lasting partnerships, or create operational policies that lock in emissions reductions over time.

The opportunity was created on April 19, 2017, with an original application deadline of June 20, 2017 (with the notice advising applicants to consult the full announcement and Section IV for detailed submission requirements). EPA listed an award ceiling of $2,500,000 per award and anticipated making about 80 awards nationwide, indicating an intent to support a broad set of projects rather than only a small number of very large ones. Eligibility is described as "Others" with additional clarification provided in the full notice, so applicants would need to consult the official eligibility section to confirm whether their organization type and proposed partnership structure qualify.

Overall, this grant program is aimed at accelerating real-world diesel emissions reductions where they matter most: in and around freight-related operations and in communities experiencing poor air quality and elevated exposure. Strong applications under this opportunity would typically be expected to clearly quantify emissions and exposure benefits, explain why the targeted fleets and locations are high-impact, outline a credible plan for implementation and reporting, demonstrate meaningful community involvement, and show how the work will continue beyond the end of the cooperative agreement.

  • The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2017" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.039.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Apr 19, 2017.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 20, 2017 Please see the announcement including Section IV for additional submission information. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 80 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for EPA OAR OTAQ 17 04

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Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program (FY 2017) - FAQs

What is the Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2017?

It is a competitive federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intended to support practical, measurable projects that reduce pollution from diesel engines across the United States.

Which EPA offices are responsible for this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with EPA's Office of Air and Radiation and its Office of Transportation and Air Quality.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is EPA OAR OTAQ 17 04.

What assistance listing or CFDA is this program tied to?

This program is tied to CFDA 66.039.

Is this grant competitive or non-competitive?

It is a competitive discretionary funding opportunity, meaning proposals are evaluated against one another and selected based on merit and alignment with EPA priorities.

How are awards administered (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

Awards are administered through cooperative agreements. This generally means EPA anticipates active involvement and oversight during project implementation rather than a fully hands-off approach.

What is the main goal of the program?

The program seeks proposals that deliver significant reductions in diesel emissions, focusing on both total tons of pollution reduced and reductions in human exposure to diesel exhaust.

Does EPA focus only on emissions totals, or also on exposure and public health?

EPA emphasizes both: the total amount of pollution reduced and the reduction in human exposure to diesel exhaust, with attention to locations where diesel pollution is most concentrated and harmful.

What types of locations or operations are a central priority?

EPA highlights fleets that operate at, serve, or move through goods movement facilities such as ports, freight hubs, distribution centers, rail yards, and logistics corridors.

Are projects in poor air quality areas prioritized?

Yes. EPA especially highlights goods movement facilities located in areas designated as having poor air quality, including nonattainment or otherwise high-pollution areas.

What does EPA mean by "goods movement facilities" in this context?

Based on the opportunity description, goods movement facilities include places tied to freight and logistics activity, such as ports, distribution centers, freight hubs, rail yards, and related corridors where diesel fleets frequently operate.

How does community engagement factor into funding priority?

EPA indicates priority may be given to proposals that show clear benefits for affected communities and demonstrate serious community engagement, including incorporating input from impacted residents and keeping communities informed about deployment and performance tracking.

What kinds of community-related elements are mentioned as important?

The description points to designing projects with input from those most impacted by diesel emissions and maintaining transparency about what will be deployed, where it will be deployed, and how results will be tracked.

What does "durability" mean for this opportunity?

Durability refers to demonstrating that emissions-reduction work will continue after the federal funding period ends. Examples mentioned include commitments to maintain cleaner equipment, ongoing replacement or retrofit plans, lasting partnerships, or operational policies that help lock in reductions over time.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on April 19, 2017.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was June 20, 2017. The notice also advises applicants to consult the full announcement and Section IV for detailed submission requirements.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

EPA listed an award ceiling of $2,500,000 per award.

How many awards did EPA anticipate making?

EPA anticipated making about 80 awards nationwide, suggesting an intent to fund a broad range of projects.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as "Others," with additional clarification provided in the full notice. Applicants would need to consult the official eligibility section to confirm whether their organization type and partnership structure qualify.

What types of projects are likely to be viewed as strong under this opportunity?

Based on the description, strong proposals would typically quantify emissions and exposure benefits, explain why targeted fleets and locations are high-impact, outline an implementation and reporting approach, demonstrate meaningful community involvement, and show how the work will continue beyond the end of the cooperative agreement.

What kinds of benefits does EPA want applicants to quantify?

EPA is looking for measurable reductions in diesel emissions (total tons reduced) and measurable reductions in human exposure to diesel exhaust, particularly in communities and locations with elevated diesel activity and poor air quality.

What should applicants do to understand submission requirements?

The notice advises consulting the full announcement and Section IV for detailed submission requirements.

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