Funding Opportunities

Opportunities for business and government fleets interested in switching to cleaner, more efficient fueling.

Below we have highlighted funding opportunities for business and government fleets interested in switching to alternative fuels. If you cannot find what you are looking for, give us a call or send us an email, and we will be happy to help.

Current Opportunities through MEC

Request for Applications: Clean Diesel Funding Programs
The principal goal of this RFA is to select organizations that will become beneficiaries under our current projects funded through EPA’s Clean Diesel program. These projects (approximately $1,300,000 in funds) will be authorized to begin work this spring.

A secondary goal of this RFA is to select co-applicants to EPA’s new FY21 competitive grant opportunity. Selection for the latter opportunity does not guarantee beneficiary funding, since our available funding depends on EPA’s award selections.

MEC’s priority goals for applicant selection include reduced air emissions affecting vulnerable populations, reduced use of petro diesel, and beneficiary participation in outreach and public awareness campaigns.
Web Training: How to Apply to Grants with MEC
Webinar training on how to apply for various clean transportation funding opportunities through MEC.

Clean Transportation Project Bank

MEC and its Clean Cities Coalitions keep a project bank for alternative (alt.) fuel and other clean transportation projects, including alt. fuel refueling and recharging infrastructure, alt. fuel vehicle purchase and/or conversions, and clean diesel retrofits. Current submissions will form the basis for any future funding opportunity proposals MEC makes on behalf of the region or on behalf of individual project sponsors. Proposals may be for DOE Clean Cities funding opportunities, EPA Clean Diesel opportunities, state-based opportunities, or otherwise.

MEC requires that all projects included in each application decrease dependence on petroleum by increasing the use of alternative fuels and advanced technologies and/or decreasing diesel emissions. Submit your project ideas to Anissa Parra-Grooms.

Additional Funding Links

Clean Cities Program promotes alternative fuels, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle-reduction. In addition to financial assistance for projects, Clean Cities maintains a database of state and federal assistance.
Diesel Emission Reduction, Pollution Prevention, and other EPA Grants
Voluntary Airport Low Emissions Program (VALE) is a national program to reduce ground emissions at commercial airports located in designated air quality non-attainment and maintenance areas. The VALE Program allows airport sponsors to use the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) to finance low emission vehicles, refueling and recharging stations, gate electrification, and other airport air quality improvements.
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) provides funding to state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit agencies for surface transportation and other related projects that improve air quality and reduce congestion. Funding is available for areas that do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (non-attainment areas) as well as former non-attainment areas that are now in compliance (maintenance areas). Priority is given to diesel engine retrofits, and other cost-effective emission reduction and congestion mitigation activities that provide air quality benefits.
Rural Development Loan and Grant Programs assist agricultural producers and rural small business with purchasing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements.
Department of Energy Loan Programs Office provides an opportunity for those with an energy project to apply for loan programs.
Volkswagen Clean Air Settlement funds are used to increase investments in zero emission vehicle (ZEV) deployments and projects that offset the NOx emissions that were produced by Volkswagen diesel vehicles that violated US emissions standards.