Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA OAR OTAQ 16 02
Apply for EPA OAR OTAQ 16 02
- The EPA in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2016" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.039.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 25, 2016 and posted on Feb 25, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 26, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2016 (Funding Opportunity Number EPA OAR OTAQ 16 02) was a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically through the Office of Transportation and Air Quality within the Office of Air and Radiation. The program invited proposals from across the United States for projects aimed at achieving meaningful reductions in diesel pollution, both in terms of total emissions (measured as tons of pollutants produced by diesel engines) and in terms of reducing human exposure to diesel exhaust. A major emphasis was placed on diesel fleets that operate at, or provide services to, goods movement facilities such as ports, rail yards, distribution centers, and similar freight-related hubs, particularly when those facilities are located in areas designated as having poor air quality.
The central goal of the funding was practical, measurable emission reductions from diesel engines, which often means upgrading, retrofitting, repowering, or replacing older diesel equipment and vehicles, or implementing other verified strategies that cut emissions. Beyond the raw emissions benefits, the EPA highlighted the importance of exposure reduction, reflecting the public health dimension of diesel pollution in communities located near freight corridors and logistics hubs. In effect, the opportunity sought projects that not only reduce pollution totals, but also target places where people are more likely to be directly affected by diesel exhaust.
The program also signaled clear policy priorities in how projects could be evaluated. Preference could be given to proposals that produce direct benefits for affected communities, especially communities experiencing the burdens of freight-related diesel activity. The EPA encouraged applicants to meaningfully engage local communities in the design and performance of the project, indicating that strong proposals would likely show how residents and local stakeholders would be involved, informed, or able to provide input. Another priority was durability: projects that could demonstrate a plan or capacity to continue reducing emissions after the grant period ended, such as through sustained operational practices, ongoing partnerships, or repeatable models that can be expanded, could be viewed more favorably.
In terms of administrative details, awards were to be issued as cooperative agreements, which typically means the EPA expected to have substantial involvement in the project during performance rather than acting purely as a passive funder. The assistance listing was associated with CFDA number 66.039 and categorized under the “Environment” funding activity area. The opportunity anticipated making approximately 40 awards, with an award ceiling of $4,400,000 per award, indicating that projects could range in scale while still fitting under a relatively high maximum cap.
Eligibility was listed broadly as “Others,” with additional eligibility details referenced as being available in a separate section of the full notice (the “Additional Information on Eligibility” text field). The announcement was created and posted on February 25, 2016, and the application deadline (original and current) was April 26, 2016. Overall, the opportunity was structured to fund high-impact diesel emission reduction projects nationwide, with an added focus on freight-related operations in poor air quality areas, community benefit and engagement, and results that last beyond the end of the grant.
Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2016 (EPA OAR OTAQ 16 02) - FAQs
What is the Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2016?
It was a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support projects that deliver meaningful reductions in diesel pollution across the United States. The program focused on reducing diesel engine emissions (measured in tons of pollutants) and also reducing human exposure to diesel exhaust.
Which EPA office offered this opportunity?
The opportunity was offered by the EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality within the Office of Air and Radiation.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number was EPA OAR OTAQ 16 02.
What was the main goal of the funding?
The central goal was practical, measurable reductions in diesel emissions, along with reductions in human exposure to diesel exhaust, especially in locations where communities are more likely to be directly affected.
What types of projects were encouraged under this program?
The program encouraged projects that reduce emissions from diesel engines through approaches such as upgrading, retrofitting, repowering, or replacing older diesel vehicles and equipment, as well as other verified emission-reduction strategies.
How did the program define or emphasize “meaningful” results?
The opportunity emphasized results that can be measured in terms of total emissions reduced (tons of pollutants) and reductions in human exposure, indicating a strong preference for projects that can show clear, real-world outcomes.
What is meant by reducing “human exposure” to diesel exhaust?
In addition to lowering overall emissions, the EPA highlighted reducing exposure in communities near freight corridors and logistics hubs, reflecting the public health importance of cutting diesel exhaust in places where people live, work, or go to school close to diesel activity.
Were any project locations specifically prioritized?
Yes. A major emphasis was placed on diesel fleets operating at, or providing services to, goods movement facilities such as ports, rail yards, distribution centers, and similar freight-related hubs, particularly when those facilities are located in areas designated as having poor air quality.
What are examples of “goods movement facilities” mentioned in the notice?
Examples specifically mentioned included ports, rail yards, distribution centers, and other freight-related hubs.
Did the opportunity apply nationwide or only in certain areas?
Proposals were invited from across the United States, with added emphasis on projects tied to goods movement facilities, especially in poor air quality areas.
How were policy priorities reflected in potential evaluation or selection?
The program indicated that preference could be given to projects producing direct benefits for affected communities, especially communities burdened by freight-related diesel activity, as well as projects that meaningfully engage local communities and demonstrate lasting results beyond the grant period.
What did the EPA say about community engagement?
The EPA encouraged applicants to meaningfully engage local communities in the design and performance of the project. Strong proposals would likely describe how residents and stakeholders would be involved, informed, or able to provide input.
What does “durability” mean in the context of this opportunity?
Durability referred to the ability of a project to continue achieving emission reductions after the grant period ends, such as through sustained operational practices, ongoing partnerships, or models that can be repeated and expanded.
What type of award mechanism was expected?
Awards were expected to be issued as cooperative agreements.
What is a cooperative agreement in this program’s context?
A cooperative agreement typically means the EPA expected to have substantial involvement in the project during performance, rather than acting only as a passive funder.
How many awards did the EPA anticipate making?
The opportunity anticipated approximately 40 awards.
What was the maximum funding amount per award?
The award ceiling was $4,400,000 per award.
Does the award ceiling mean every project would receive $4,400,000?
No. The ceiling indicates the maximum amount per award; projects could range in scale as long as they fit under that cap.
What CFDA number was associated with this assistance listing?
The assistance listing was associated with CFDA number 66.039.
What was the funding activity category?
The funding activity area was listed as “Environment.”
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed broadly as “Others,” with additional eligibility details referenced as being available in the “Additional Information on Eligibility” section of the full notice.
Where were additional eligibility details supposed to be found?
The notice indicated that more eligibility information was provided in the full announcement under the “Additional Information on Eligibility” text field.
When was the opportunity posted?
The announcement was created and posted on February 25, 2016.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline (original and current) was April 26, 2016.
What kinds of diesel fleets were most relevant to this opportunity?
The opportunity particularly emphasized diesel fleets connected to goods movement operations at freight-related facilities (such as ports and rail yards), especially in areas with poor air quality.
What outcomes did the EPA appear to value beyond emission totals?
Beyond total emission reductions, the EPA emphasized reducing exposure for nearby communities, producing direct community benefits, engaging communities meaningfully, and sustaining emission reductions after the grant period.
What is the overall purpose of the program as described?
Overall, the opportunity was structured to fund high-impact diesel emission reduction projects nationwide, with a special focus on freight-related operations in poor air quality areas, community benefit and engagement, and durable results that continue beyond the end of the grant.
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