The Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) notified its members that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting proposals for projects to reduce diesel emissions from various transportation modes. Passenger vessels are eligible to compete, as are trucking companies, school bus fleets, locomotives, and off-road construction vehicles. The agency anticipates that about $32m will be awarded nationwide under the fiscal 2011 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grant program. This represents a substantial reduction from fiscal 2010 funding.
The details of the Request for Proposals can be viewed at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/prgnational.htm
A grant can be used to replace an existing vessel diesel engine with a modern low-emissions engine or to install other pollution-abatement technology (for example, an after-treatment system). Generally, the EPA grant will cover 75%.
A private entity cannot submit a proposal directly to EPA but instead must partner with a qualified governmental agency, port authority, or nonprofit organization. The Passenger Vessel Association is such a nonprofit organization.
Proposals must be submitted no later than January 13, 2011. However, if a vessel operator wishes to ask PVA to be the non-profit entity to submit the proposal, the applicant must contact PVA as soon as possible.
For more information, contact Jen Wilk (jwilk@pasengervessel.com) or Ed Welch (ewelch@passengervessel.com) at PVA Headquarters.