Ohio Incentives and Laws for Idle Reduction

The list below contains summaries of all Ohio incentives and laws related to Idle Reduction.

State Incentives

School Bus Retrofit Grant Program

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency administers the Clean Diesel School Bus Fund Retrofits Grant Program, which offers grants to retrofit school buses operating on diesel fuel. Priority is given to school districts in communities that do not meet the federal air quality standards for fine air particulates, and districts that employ additional measures, such as anti-idling programs, to reduce emissions from their school bus fleets

Heavy-Duty Emission Reduction Grant and Loan Program

The Ohio Department of Development administers a Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant Program and a Diesel Emissions Reduction Revolving Loan Program for the purpose of reducing emissions from diesel engines. Eligible entities may use this funding for:

• Projects related to certified engine configurations, including new, rebuilt, or remanufactured engine configurations the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board has certified;
• The purchase or use of hybrid electric and alternative fuel vehicles that are allowed under U.S. Federal Highway Administration Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program guidance; or
• Installation of verified technology including pollution control devices, retrofits, and development of truck stop electrification and auxiliary power units.

To be eligible for funding, fleets must operate at least 65% of the time in a particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and/or ozone nonattainment or maintenance county. Private fleets are eligible, but they must establish a public-private partnership with a government organization that is eligible for CMAQ funds in order to apply for funding. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 122.861)