There are a variety of funding programs that help advance alternative fuel and vehicle and transportation focused emissions reduction programs. We have listed some of the most popular programs below, but it is suggested to contact us info@vacleancities.org so that we can help determine the best fit.

EPA National Clean Diesel Campaign
Description: Four sub-programs under program – National Clean Diesel Campaign, State Clean Diesel Campaign, SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program, Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program.
National Clean Diesel Program (70% of funding)

  • National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program contains the majority of the funding dedicated to deployment of EPA-verified and certified technologies. This component will be administered by EPA”s regional offices.
  • National Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program fosters the deployment of innovative technologies through a national grant competition. To qualify as an emerging technology, a manufacturer must have an EPA approved application and test plan for verification.
  • SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program allows EPA to issue competitive grants to establish national low-cost revolving loans or other financing programs to funding to fleets to reduce diesel emissions.

State Clean Diesel Grant Program (30% of funding)

  •  State Clean Diesel Grant Program makes funds directly available to States interested in establishing new diesel emission reduction programs.
    Timing: Solicitations typically announced annually
    More Information: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/grantfund.htm

Virginia Biodiesel Buy Down Grant Fund.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Quality Management Association (MARAMA) is soliciting applications from eligible parties interested in participating in the Statewide Biodiesel Buy Down under the Virginia Diesel Emission Reduction Recovery Grant. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded funds to the Commonwealth of Virginia under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to support this program. Eligible Virginia State diesel fleets operating in the Commonwealth of Virginia interested in seeking funding to address potential incremental costs of using large volumes of biodiesel blends over regular diesel are encouraged to apply.

Timing: Open now, applications accepted on a rolling basis.
More Information: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/export/sites/default/news/docs/Biodiesel_RFP_FINAL.pdf

Green Operators “GO” Program
Description: Provides drayage trucking companies funding to retrofit or replace older trucks. Up to $6K is available for truck retrofits, and up to $10K to replace vehicles.
Timing: Open now, applications accepted on a rolling basis.
More Information: http://www.greenoperator.org/

DOE Recovery Funding for Transportation Projects
Website provides a listing of competitive and state/local funding opportunities authorized through the Department of Energy for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
More Information: http://www.energy.gov/recovery/funding.htm

DOE Clean Cities Program
Description: Funds incremental cost of alternative fueled and advanced technology vehicle purchases, and alternative fueling infrastructure.
Timing: DOE Clean Cities typically releases a solicitation once every two years. Awards were just announced for the FY09 round. Next solicitation expected 2011.
More information: Contact your closest Clean Cities representative for more information on how to become involved and prepare projects for the next round.

DOE Transportation Electrification
Description: Funding used to establish widespread demonstration, development, evaluation, and education projects to accelerate the market introduction and penetration of advanced electric drive vehicles.
Timing: DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Vehicle Technologies Program recently made awards for Recovery Act funding (DE-FOA-0000028). No information available on upcoming opportunities.
Electric Drive Transportation Association: http://www.electricdrive.org/index.php?ht=display/ReleaseDetails/i/11366

DOE Block Grants for Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Description: $9.7 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) will be distributed on a competitive basis to small local governments. Virginia’s 21 Planning District Commissions will administer the program and assist localities in the development of proposals, which will be ranked and awarded by the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. Applications and additional information can be downloaded from links below. The EECBG program is intended to help local governments, cities and counties, implement strategies to encourage energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. The program emphasizes a community-based approach to help meet energy and climate protection goals. There is no match requirement for these funds. DMME applied to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on June 25, 2009, for a $16.1 million population-based allocation to fund The Commonwealth’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG), which will focus exclusively on funding energy-related projects at the local government level. DOE approved Virginia’s proposal on Sept. 24, 2009 and authorized the state to develop final rules and application processes to implement the program.
Timing: Program funded for the first time under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Funds are now being awarded.
Click here for more information

DMME State Energy Program and Other ARRA Funding
Description: The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) submitted Virginia’s grant proposal on May 12, 2009, to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for $70 million in State Energy Program ARRA stimulus funding to establish several new programs.
Timing: See website for applications.
Click here for more information

Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center
Description: The Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC, formerly known as the Alternative Fuels Data Center) provides a wide range of information and resources to enable the use of alternative fuels, in addition to other petroleum reduction options such as advanced vehicles, fuel blends, idle reduction, and fuel economy.
More Information: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/
Laws and Incentives Database: Captures state and federal laws and incentives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, air quality, fuel efficiency, and other transportation-related topics. State-level information is updated annually after each state’s legislative session ends. Federal information is updated after enacted legislation is signed into law.
Link: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/incentives_laws.html

Other Resources for Funding Announcements
Clean Cities: https://cleancities.energy.gov/
Grants.gov: http://grants.gov/
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Fund: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cmaqpgs/
MPOs: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/transportation-planning/metropolitan-planning-organization-mpo