Federal Rebates Available to Upgrade Diesel Equipment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $2 million in rebate funding available to help construction equipment owners replace or retrofit older, less efficient diesel engines. 

As part of their Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERP), the EPA’s 2013 Construction Equipment Funding Opportunity will provide these incentives to selected, qualified applicants including regional, state and local agencies, port authorities and private entities that operate non-road construction equipment. 

In doing so, the EPA hopes to significantly reduce diesel emissions, particularly in designated areas the EPA considers poor air quality areas. 

Eligible projects should function to maximize public health benefits, conserve diesel fuel and be cost-effective.

Equipment eligible for the grant includes:

• Non-road equipment used in the creation or maintenance of transportation infrastructure, commercial and industrial projects, residential buildings and heavy civil construction;
• Equipment in regular use and have accumulated at least 500 annual usage hours over the most recent 12 months;
• Diesel-powered engines between 174-603 horsepower; and
• All engines, if they meet annual usage hours and rated power requirements (provided the equipment has more than one engine).