United States (Federal)
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program
The CMAQ Improvement Program provides funding to state departments of transportation (DOTs), municipal planning organizations (MPOs), and transit agencies for projects and programs in air quality non-attainment and maintenance areas that reduce transportation-related emissions. Eligible activities include transit improvements, travel demand management strategies, traffic flow improvements, purchasing idle reduction equipment, development of alternative fueling infrastructure, conversion of public fleet vehicles to operate on cleaner fuels, and outreach activities that provide assistance to diesel equipment and vehicle owners and operators regarding the purchase and installation of diesel retrofits. State DOTs and MPOs must give priority to projects and programs to include diesel retrofits and other cost-effective emissions reduction activities, and cost-effective congestion mitigation activities that provide air quality benefits. For more information, visit the CMAQ Web site. (Reference 23 U.S. Code 149)
Point of Contact
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/index.html
Clean School Bus USA
Clean School Bus USA is a public-private partnership that focuses on reducing children's exposure to harmful diesel exhaust by limiting school bus idling, implementing pollution reduction technologies, improving route logistics, and switching to clean fuels. Clean School Bus USA is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Clean Diesel Campaign and provides funding for projects designed to retrofit and/or replace older diesel school buses. Eligible applicants are school districts, state and local government programs, federally recognized Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations.
Point of Contact
Jennifer Keller
National Clean Diesel Campaign
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Phone (202) 343-9541
keller.jennifer@epa.gov
http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/
Clean Cities
The mission of Clean Cities is to advance the energy, economic, and environmental security of the United States by supporting local initiatives to adopt practices that reduce the use of petroleum in the transportation sector. Clean Cities carries out this mission through a network of more than 80 volunteer coalitions, which develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction. Clean Cities provides information about financial opportunities, coordinates technical assistance projects; updates and maintains databases and Web sites, and publishes fact sheets, newsletters, and related technical and informational materials. For more information, visit the Clean Cities Web site.
Point of Contact
U.S. Department of Energy
Phone (800) 342-5363
Fax (202) 586-4403
http://www.energy.gov
SmartWay Transport Partnership
The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a voluntary partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the ground freight industry. It was designed to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution through increased fuel efficiency. EPA provides Partners with benefits and services that include fleet management tools, technical support, information, public recognition, and use of the SmartWay Transport Partner logo. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is working with states, banks, and other organizations to develop innovative financing options that help Partners purchase devices that save fuel and reduce emissions. Grants are available to states, nonprofits, and academic institutions to demonstrate innovative idle reduction technologies for the trucking industry.
Point of Contact
SmartWay Transport Partnership
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Phone (734) 214-4767
Fax (734) 214-4052
smartway_transport@epa.gov
http://www.epa.gov/smartway
Idle Reduction Facilities Regulation
States are permitted to provide facilities in interstate system rights-of-way that allow operators of commercial vehicles to reduce truck idling or use alternate power sources. States may allow idling reduction facilities for commercial vehicles to be placed in rest or recreation areas as well as in safety rest areas constructed or located on rights-of-way of the interstate system. The idling reduction facilities must not reduce the existing number of truck parking spaces at a given rest or recreation area. States may charge a fee or permit charging a fee, for parking spaces actively providing idling reduction measures. For more information, see the Idling Reduction Facilities in Interstate Rights-of-Way fact sheet. (Reference 23 U.S. Code 111)
Point of Contact
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/index.html
National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC)
The NCDC was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce pollution emitted from diesel engines through the implementation of varied control strategies and the involvement of national, state, and local partners. The NCDC includes programs for existing diesel fleets, regulations for clean diesel engines and fuels, and regional collaborations and partnerships.
Point of Contact
Jennifer Keller
National Clean Diesel Campaign
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Phone (202) 343-9541
keller.jennifer@epa.gov
http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act/Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (House Resolution 1424) was signed by President Bush, enacting the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008. The bill amends and extends existing biodiesel blending and production tax credits, extends existing alternative fuel excise tax credit, and extends the alternative fueling infrastructure tax credit. The bill also creates a new tax incentive toward the purchase of qualified plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, based on vehicle weight and battery capacity. Additionally, qualified idle reduction devices are exempt for heavy-duty truck retail excise taxes.
Idle Reduction Equipment Excise Tax Exemption
Qualified on-board idle reduction devices and advanced insulation are exempt from the federal excise tax imposed on the retail sale of heavy-duty highway trucks and trailers. The exemption also applies to the installation of qualified equipment on vehicles after the vehicles have been placed into service. For a list of eligible products and additional information about product exemption eligibility criteria, see the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) SmartWay Transport Idle Reduction Web site. The exemption applies to equipment that was determined by the Administrator of the EPA, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Transportation, to reduce the idling of the tractor at a motor vehicle rest stop or other location where such vehicles are temporarily parked or remain stationary. Only equipment sold on or after October 4, 2008, is eligible. For more information, see IRS Publication 510 and the instructions for IRS Form 720, which are available via the IRS Web site. (Reference Public Law 110-343, Section 206, and 26 U.S. Code 4053)
Point of Contact
Excise Tax Branch
U.S. Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel
Phone (202) 622-3130
http://www.irs.gov/
