AQ_GEN_PIO_20250107_MISC_PressRls

Jan. 7, 2025
DEQ Extends Application Deadline for Diesel Emission Reduction
Grants
RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air
Quality (DAQ) is extending the deadline to apply for more than $1.1 million in funding for
clean vehicle replacements.
Applications for the 2024 Mobile Sources Emissions Reductions Grant will now be
accepted through Jan. 31, 2025.
That grant is available to fund projects that will reduce emissions from diesel engines,
including the replacement or repowering of school buses, nonroad construction and
agricultural equipment, heavy-duty on-road vehicles, and locomotives with new, clean
equipment and vehicles. This will reduce harmful air pollution from the transportation
sector, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and greenhouse gases.
Projects in western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene are
encouraged to apply, and bonus points are available to applications for projects located
in an area covered by a federal disaster declaration.
DAQ administers the Mobile Sources Emissions Reductions Grant each year to fund the
replacement of older diesel vehicles with cleaner alternatives. Any business or
organization in the public or private sector operating in North Carolina is eligible to
apply.
Projects to replace diesel vehicles with electric vehicles also receive bonus points
during the scoring process. Bonus points may also be awarded to projects in
environmental justice communities or historically under-resourced counties, as well as
to projects submitted by minority-owned or woman-owned businesses.
More information on how to apply, the full Request for Proposals guidance, and
recordings of two informational webinars are available on DAQ’s website.
This grant program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Diesel
Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program. The purpose of DERA funding is to support
projects designed to achieve significant diesel emissions reductions. These include
emissions of NOx and PM.
Separately, DAQ has $1.8 million available through the N.C. Volkswagen Settlement for
the Community and Destination Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. These
grants will help install DC Fast and Level 2 EV charging stations across the state.
Applications for this program are also due Jan. 31, 2025.

For More Information
Contact: Shawn Taylor
Phone: [phone]