The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) announced Round 4 of the DieselWise Indiana with Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Option program's grant funding which will distribute awards ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000. Total available funding for this round is $3.5 million.
Grant money will be awarded to clean air projects that significantly reduce diesel emissions from nonroad vehicles or equipment across Indiana. IDEM is specifically encouraging potential project partners from southern Indiana due to the lack of applications from this region in the previous rounds of the program, with the hope and intent of realizing meaningful diesel emission reductions equitably across Indiana.
Example projects include installing idle reduction technology on locomotives, replacing diesel-powered switcher locomotives with all-electric locomotives or railcar movers, replacing existing diesel-powered marine engines with new clean-diesel powered engines, and replacing diesel-powered cargo handling equipment with new electric alternatives.
Projects from Rounds 1 through 3 included replacing a diesel-powered switcher locomotive with an all-electric shuttle wagon, replacing two landfill compactors with much newer clean-diesel machines, and replacing old diesel-powered terminal tractors with new all-electric alternatives serving the same purpose. These projects will result in notably better air quality for those that live and work around these areas.
Public and private entities may submit applications, and the Request for Proposals (RFP) deadline is Dec. 16. Application information can be found at www.idem.IN.gov/airquality/dieselwise.
Categories: Indiana, Government & Policy