Part F—Diesel Emissions Reduction
§16131. Definitions
In this part:
(1) Administrator
The term "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Certified engine configuration
The term "certified engine configuration" means a new, rebuilt, or remanufactured engine configuration—
(A) that has been certified or verified by—
(i) the Administrator; or
(ii) the California Air Resources Board;
(B) that meets or is rebuilt or remanufactured to a more stringent set of engine emission standards, as determined by the Administrator; and
(C) in the case of a certified engine configuration involving the replacement of an existing engine or vehicle, an engine configuration that replaced an engine that was—
(i) removed from the vehicle; and
(ii) returned to the supplier for remanufacturing to a more stringent set of engine emissions standards or for scrappage.
(3) Eligible entity
The term "eligible entity" means—
(A) a regional, State, local, or tribal agency or port authority with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality;
(B) a nonprofit organization or institution that—
(i) represents or provides pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets; or
(ii) has, as its principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality; and
(C) any private individual or entity that—
(i) is the owner of record of a diesel vehicle or fleet operated pursuant to a contract, license, or lease with a Federal department or agency or an entity described in subparagraph (A); and
(ii) meets such timely and appropriate requirements as the Administrator may establish for vehicle use and for notice to and approval by the Federal department or agency or entity described in subparagraph (A) with respect to which the owner has entered into a contract, license, or lease as described in clause (i).
(4) Emerging technology
The term "emerging technology" means a technology that is not currently, or has not been previously, certified or verified by the Administrator or the California Air Resources Board but for which an approvable application and test plan has been submitted for verification to the Administrator or the California Air Resources Board.
(5) Fleet
The term "fleet" means one or more diesel vehicles or mobile or stationary diesel engines.
(6) Heavy-duty truck
The term "heavy-duty truck" has the meaning given the term "heavy duty vehicle" in
(7) Medium-duty truck
The term "medium-duty truck" has such meaning as shall be determined by the Administrator, by regulation.
(8) State
The term "State" means the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(9) Verified technology
The term "verified technology" means a pollution control technology, including a retrofit technology or auxiliary power unit, that has been verified by—
(A) the Administrator; or
(B) the California Air Resources Board.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—Par. (3)(C).
Par. (4).
Par. (8).
Par. (9).
2008—Par. (9).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
"(a)
"(b)
§16132. National grant, rebate, and loan programs
(a) In general
The Administrator shall use 70 percent of the funds made available to carry out this part for each fiscal year to provide grants, rebates, or low-cost revolving loans, as determined by the Administrator, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities, including through contracts entered into under subsection (e) of this section, to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of—
(1) pollution produced; and
(2) diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas.
(b) Distribution
(1) In general
The Administrator shall distribute funds made available for a fiscal year under this part in accordance with this section.
(2) Engine configurations and technologies
(A) Certified engine configurations and verified technologies
The Administrator shall provide not less than 95 percent of funds available for a fiscal year under this section to eligible entities for projects using—
(i) a certified engine configuration; or
(ii) a verified technology.
(B) Emerging technologies
(i) In general
The Administrator shall provide not more than 5 percent of funds available for a fiscal year under this section to eligible entities for the development and commercialization of emerging technologies.
(ii) Application and test plan
To receive funds under clause (i), a manufacturer, in consultation with an eligible entity, shall submit for verification to the Administrator or the California Air Resources Board a test plan for the emerging technology, together with a verification application.
(c) Applications
(1) Expedited process
(A) In general
The Administrator shall develop a simplified application process for all applicants under this section to expedite the provision of funds.
(B) Requirements
In developing the expedited process under subparagraph (A), the Administrator—
(i) shall take into consideration the special circumstances affecting small fleet owners; and
(ii) to avoid duplicative procedures, may require applicants to include in an application under this section the results of a competitive bidding process for equipment and installation.
(2) Eligibility
(A) Grants
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator may require.
(B) Rebates and low-cost loans
To be eligible to receive a rebate or a low-cost loan under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application in accordance with such guidance as the Administrator may establish—
(i) to the Administrator; or
(ii) to an entity that has entered into a contract under subsection (e).
(3) Inclusions
An application under this subsection shall include—
(A) a description of the air quality of the area served by the eligible entity;
(B) the quantity of air pollution produced by the diesel fleets in the area served by the eligible entity;
(C) a description of the project proposed by the eligible entity, including—
(i) any certified engine configuration, verified technology, or emerging technology to be used or funded by the eligible entity; and
(ii) the means by which the project will achieve a significant reduction in diesel emissions;
(D) an evaluation (using methodology approved by the Administrator or the National Academy of Sciences) of the quantifiable and unquantifiable benefits of the emissions reductions of the proposed project;
(E) an estimate of the cost of the proposed project;
(F) a description of the age and expected lifetime control of the equipment used or funded by the eligible entity;
(G) in the case of an application relating to nonroad engines or vehicles, a description of the diesel fuel available in the areas to be served by the eligible entity, including the sulfur content of the fuel; and
(H) provisions for the monitoring and verification of the project.
(4) Priority
In providing a grant, rebate, or loan under this section, the Administrator shall give highest priority to proposed projects that, as determined by the Administrator—
(A) maximize public health benefits;
(B) are the most cost-effective;
(C) serve areas—
(i) with the highest population density;
(ii) that are poor air quality areas, including areas identified by the Administrator as—
(I) in nonattainment or maintenance of national ambient air quality standards for a criteria pollutant;
(II) Federal Class I areas; or
(III) areas with toxic air pollutant concerns;
(iii) that receive a disproportionate quantity of air pollution from diesel fleets, including truckstops, ports, rail yards, terminals, construction sites, schools, and distribution centers; or
(iv) that use a community-based multistakeholder collaborative process to reduce toxic emissions;
(D) include a certified engine configuration, verified technology, or emerging technology that has a long expected useful life;
(E) will maximize the useful life of any certified engine configuration, verified technology, or emerging technology used or funded by the eligible entity; and
(F) conserve diesel fuel.
(d) Use of funds
(1) In general
An eligible entity may use a grant, rebate, or loan provided under this section to fund the costs of—
(A) a retrofit technology (including any incremental costs of a repowered or new diesel engine) that significantly reduces emissions through development and implementation of a certified engine configuration, verified technology, or emerging technology for—
(i) a bus;
(ii) a medium-duty truck or a heavy-duty truck;
(iii) a marine engine;
(iv) a locomotive; or
(v) a nonroad engine or vehicle used in—
(I) construction;
(II) handling of cargo (including at a port or airport);
(III) agriculture;
(IV) mining; or
(V) energy production; or
(B) programs or projects to reduce long-duration idling using verified technology involving a vehicle or equipment described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Regulatory programs
(A) In general
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no grant, rebate, or loan provided, or contract entered into, under this section shall be used to fund the costs of emissions reductions that are mandated under any Federal law, except that this subparagraph shall not apply to a mandate in a State implementation plan approved by the Administrator under the Clean Air Act [
(B) Mandated
For purposes of subparagraph (A), voluntary or elective emission reduction measures shall not be considered "mandated", regardless of whether the reductions are included in the State implementation plan of a State.
(e) Contract programs
(1) Authority
In addition to the use of contracting authority otherwise available to the Administrator, the Administrator may enter into contracts with eligible contractors described in paragraph (2) for the administration of programs for providing rebates or loans, subject to the requirements of this part.
(2) Eligible contractors
The Administrator may enter into a contract under this subsection with a for-profit or nonprofit entity that has the capacity—
(A) to sell diesel vehicles or equipment to, or to arrange financing for, individuals or entities that own a diesel vehicle or fleet; or
(B) to upgrade diesel vehicles or equipment with verified or Environmental Protection Agency-certified engines or technologies, or to arrange financing for such upgrades.
(f) Public notification
Not later than 60 days after the date of the award of a grant, rebate, or loan, the Administrator shall publish on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency—
(1) for rebates and loans provided to the owner of a diesel vehicle or fleet, the total number and dollar amount of rebates or loans provided, as well as a breakdown of the technologies funded through the rebates or loans; and
(2) for other rebates and loans, and for grants, a description of each application for which the grant, rebate, or loan is provided.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(A), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360,
Amendments
2011—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(3)(G).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (c)(4)(C)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(4)(E) to (G).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
Amendment by
§16133. State grant, rebate, and loan programs
(a) In general
Subject to the availability of adequate appropriations, the Administrator shall use 30 percent of the funds made available for a fiscal year under this part to support grant, rebate, and loan programs administered by States that are designed to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions.
(b) Applications
The Administrator shall—
(1) provide to States guidance for use in applying for grant, rebate, or loan funds under this section, including information regarding—
(A) the process and forms for applications;
(B) permissible uses of funds received; and
(C) the cost-effectiveness of various emission reduction technologies eligible to be carried out using funds provided under this section; and
(2) establish, for applications described in paragraph (1)—
(A) an annual deadline for submission of the applications;
(B) a process by which the Administrator shall approve or disapprove each application; and
(C) a streamlined process by which a State may renew an application described in paragraph (1) for subsequent fiscal years.
(c) Allocation of funds
(1) In general
For each fiscal year, the Administrator shall allocate among States for which applications are approved by the Administrator under subsection (b)(2)(B) funds made available to carry out this section for the fiscal year.
(2) Allocation
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), using not more than 20 percent of the funds made available to carry out this part for a fiscal year, the Administrator shall provide to each State qualified for an allocation for the fiscal year an allocation equal to 1/53 of the funds made available for that fiscal year for distribution to States under this paragraph.
(B) Certain territories
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall collectively receive an allocation equal to 1/53 of the funds made available for that fiscal year for distribution to States under this subsection, divided equally among those 4 States.
(ii) Exception
If any State described in clause (i) does not qualify for an allocation under this paragraph, the share of funds otherwise allocated for that State under clause (i) shall be reallocated pursuant to subparagraph (C).
(C) Reallocation
If any State does not qualify for an allocation under this paragraph, the share of funds otherwise allocated for that State under this paragraph shall be reallocated to each remaining qualified State in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying—
(i) the proportion that the population of the State bears to the population of all States described in paragraph (1); by
(ii) the amount otherwise allocatable to the nonqualifying State under this paragraph.
(3) State matching incentive
(A) In general
If a State agrees to match the allocation provided to the State under paragraph (2) for a fiscal year, the Administrator shall provide to the State for the fiscal year an additional amount equal to 50 percent of the allocation of the State under paragraph (2).
(B) Requirements
A State—
(i) may not use funds received under this part to pay a matching share required under this subsection; and
(ii) shall not be required to provide a matching share for any additional amount received under subparagraph (A).
(4) Unclaimed funds
Any funds that are not claimed by a State for a fiscal year under this subsection shall be used to carry out
(d) Administration
(1) In general
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and, to the extent practicable, the priority areas listed in
(2) Apportionment of funds
The chief executive of a State that receives funding under this section may determine the portion of funds to be provided as grants, rebates, or loans.
(3) Use of funds
A grant, rebate, or loan provided under this section shall be used for a project relating to—
(A) a certified engine configuration; or
(B) a verified technology.
(4) Priority
In providing grants, rebates, and loans under this section, a State shall use the priorities in
(5) Public notification
Not later than 60 days after the date of the award of a grant, rebate, or loan by a State, the State shall publish on the Web site of the State—
(A) for rebates, grants, and loans provided to the owner of a diesel vehicle or fleet, the total number and dollar amount of rebates, grants, or loans provided, as well as a breakdown of the technologies funded through the rebates, grants, or loans; and
(B) for other rebates, grants, and loans, a description of each application for which the grant, rebate, or loan is provided.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(4), (5).
2008—Subsec. (c)(2)(A).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
Amendment by
§16134. Evaluation and report
(a) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date on which funds are made available under this part, and biennially thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the implementation of the programs under this part.
(b) Inclusions
The report shall include a description of—
(1) the total number of grant applications received;
(2) each grant, rebate, or loan made under this part, including the amount of the grant, rebate, or loan;
(3) each project for which a grant, rebate, or loan is provided under this part, including the criteria used to select the grant, rebate, or loan recipients;
(4) the actual and estimated air quality and diesel fuel conservation benefits, cost-effectiveness, and cost-benefits of the grant, rebate, and loan programs under this part;
(5) the problems encountered by projects for which a grant, rebate, or loan is provided under this part;
(6) any other information the Administrator considers to be appropriate; and
(7) in the last report sent to Congress before January 1, 2016, an analysis of the need to continue the program, including an assessment of the size of the vehicle and engine fleet that could provide benefits from being retrofit under this program and a description of the number and types of applications that were not granted in the preceding year.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—Subsec. (b)(2) to (5).
Subsec. (b)(7).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
Amendment by
§16135. Outreach and incentives
(a) Definition of eligible technology
In this section, the term "eligible technology" means—
(1) a verified technology; or
(2) an emerging technology.
(b) Technology transfer program
(1) In general
The Administrator shall establish a program under which the Administrator—
(A) informs stakeholders of the benefits of eligible technologies; and
(B) develops nonfinancial incentives to promote the use of eligible technologies.
(2) Eligible stakeholders
Eligible stakeholders under this section include—
(A) equipment owners and operators;
(B) emission and pollution control technology manufacturers;
(C) engine and equipment manufacturers;
(D) State and local officials responsible for air quality management;
(E) community organizations; and
(F) public health, educational, and environmental organizations.
(c) State implementation plans
The Administrator shall develop appropriate guidance to provide credit to a State for emission reductions in the State created by the use of eligible technologies through a State implementation plan under
(d) International markets
The Administrator, in coordination with the Department of Commerce and industry stakeholders, shall inform foreign countries with air quality problems of the potential of technology developed or used in the United States to provide emission reductions in those countries.
(
§16136. Effect of part
Nothing in this part affects any authority under the Clean Air Act (
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Clean Air Act, referred to in text, is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360,
§16137. Authorization of appropriations
(a) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2024, to remain available until expended.
(b) Management and oversight
The Administrator may use not more than 1 percent of the amounts made available under subsection (a) for each fiscal year for management and oversight purposes.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2020—Subsec. (a).
2011—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
Amendment by
§16138. EPA authority to accept diesel emissions reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (hereinafter, the "Agency") may accept (notwithstanding
(1) protect human health or the environment;
(2) are related to the underlying alleged violations;
(3) do not constitute activities that the defendant would otherwise be legally required to perform; and
(4) do not provide funds for the staff of the Agency or for contractors to carry out the Agency's internal operations.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was not enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which comprises this chapter.
§16139. Settlement agreement provisions
In any settlement agreement regarding alleged violations of environmental law in which a defendant agrees to perform a diesel emissions reduction Supplemental Environmental Project, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall require the defendant to include in the settlement documents a certification under penalty of law that the defendant would have agreed to perform a comparably valued, alternative project other than a diesel emissions reduction Supplemental Environmental Project if the Administrator were precluded by law from accepting a diesel emission reduction Supplemental Environmental Project. A failure by the Administrator to include this language in such a settlement agreement shall not create a cause of action against the United States under the Clean Air Act [
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Clean Air Act, referred to in text, is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360,
Codification
Section was not enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which comprises this chapter.