Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Grants (DERA)

DERA grants replace or retrofit older diesel engines in public fleets, reducing harmful emissions to protect human health and improve air quality. Common Projects: Vehicle replacements: school buses, transit buses, and heavy/medium duty trucks Engine replacements: marine and non-road engines ( non-highway vehicles) Verified exhaust retrofits: diesel particulate filters Verified idle reduction technology: fuel-operated heaters Owners of aging diesel equipment operating in Ohio’s priority counties, identified by the EPA, are encouraged to apply for grants to fund diesel emission reduction projects. Website: Division of Environmental & Financial Assistance Governing Statute: Ohio Revised Code 122.861 and 512.90 Eligibility: Currently limited to public transit systems for replacement of diesel buses that are eligible under the Federal Highway Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program and located in an eligible Ohio county. Specifications: $8-10 million awarded annually for engine repowers and vehicle replacements in SFY 2017-2023 Application Deadline: Varies. One round annually, usually in the fall. Recipients: 2012 - Present Contact: Funding questions 614.644.2873 [email protected] Technology Questions 614.644.0043 [email protected] October 16, 2021 | Agency The Diesel Emission Reduction Grant (DERG) program is supported with federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) dollars awarded by the Federal Highway Administration to the Ohio Department of Transportation. The program provides support to public transit systems serving Ohio counties, for the early retirement and replacement of older diesel transit buses. Interested parties may sign up to receive email notifications about DERG grants and other Ohio EPA grant programs by subscribing for updates at Ohio EPA's govDelivery page . For questions about the grant program, please contact [email protected] . Request for Proposals 2024 (Closed) The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency invited grant applications from public transit systems in CMAQ-eligible counties, for up to 80% of the cost to replace aging diesel transit buses, starting, Oct. 7, 2024. The 2024 application cycle previously accepted applications during the fall of 2024. Print entire Request for Proposals and Appendices as a single File (PDF) 2024 Request for Proposals and Instructions (PDF) Appendix A: DERG Applicant Certification Statement (Word) Appendix B: DERG Fleet Data Reporting Spreadsheet (Excel) Appendix C: Map of CMAQ Eligible Counties and Townships in Ohio Appendix D: Diesel Vehicle/Equipment and Useful Life Guidelines (Word) Appendix E: Buy America Certification for FTA Projects (Word) Appendix F: FHWA Section 17 Alternative Fuels and Vehicles (Word) Request for Proposals 2023 (Closed) The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency invited grant applications from public transit systems in CMAQ-eligible counties, for up to 80% of the cost to replace aging diesel transit buses. The 2023 application cycle previously accepted applications during the fall of 2023. The application window is currently closed. We anticipate the next application cycle to open in October 2024. Print entire Request for Proposals and Appendices as a single File (PDF) 2023 Request for Proposals and Instructions (PDF) Appendix A: DERG Applicant Certification Statement (Word) Appendix B: DERG Fleet Data Reporting Spreadsheet (Excel) Appendix C: Map of CMAQ Eligible Counties and Townships in Ohio Appendix D: Diesel Vehicle/Equipment and Useful Life Guidelines (Word) Appendix E: Buy America Certification for FTA Projects (Word) Appendix F: FHWA Section 17 Alternative Fuels and Vehicles (Word) Request for Proposals 2022 (Closed) The list of 2022 award winners is posted below under "Previous DERG Grant Awards".