Anti-idling incentives: a state- by-state roundup
By Aaron Ladage
staff writer
One of the most frequently asked questions OOIDA receives regarding auxiliary power units is, “Does my state offer any type of grant or loan program to help me purchase one of these for myself?”
Unfortunately, that’s not a simple question to answer.
Two Land Line staffers spent the better part of a week phoning state environmental agencies, APU manufacturers and federal regulatory groups to find out where and how a trucker can get money for anti-idling technology.
While some state officials were quite knowledgeable, many knew less about the availability of APUs than the truckers who were asking the question in the first place.
Please keep in mind that a grant or loan program could fall under a number of different state or federal agencies, and while we did our best to canvas all 50 states, it’s possible some programs were missed. Several states are also still in the process of setting up programs; however, if their funding wasn’t available as of press time, we did not include them on this list.
Nationwide
SmartWay Innovative Financing
• Funds available for state agencies to start anti-idling programs
• Savings calculator available online
Web site: epa.gov/smartway/documents/420f06016.pdf
Phone: (202) 343-9269
Arkansas
ADEQ Small Business Loan Program
• Co-sponsored by OOIDA, SmartWay and Arkansas Department of Air Quality
• Loans up to $45,000 at 80 percent of Prime Interest Rate, with loan terms up to 10 years
Web site: adeq.state.ar.us
Phone: 1-888-233-0326
California
Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards
Attainment Program
• More than $100 million distributed since program’s start in 1998
• Technology must meet emissions standards established by the program
• At least 75 percent of miles run must be in California
Web site: arb.ca.gov/msprog/moyer/moyer.htm
Phone: 1-800-242-4450
California, Oregon and Washington (Interstate 5 corridor)
SmartWay Upgrade Kits
• Customizable kit can include APU, tires and exhaust after-treatment
• Costs vary depending on kit options
• Financing available (see “Nationwide” above)
Web site: epa.gov/smartway
Phone: (202) 564-4355
Colorado
Regional Air Quality Counsel Clean Air
Fleets Program
• Trucks must be registered in Colorado
• $48,750 in total funding available for programs
• Covers 80 percent of purchase price
Web site: cleanairfleets.org/retrofit.html
Phone: (303) 629-5450 Ext. 230
Minnesota
MPCA Small Business Environmental
Improvement Loan Program
• Co-sponsored by OOIDA, SmartWay and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Loans up to $50,000 available at an interest rate of 4 percent or one-half of Prime Interest Rate, whichever is greater, with loan terms up to seven years
Web site: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/programs/sbomb_loan.html
Phone: 1-800-985-4247
North Carolina
Mobile Source Emissions Reductions
Grants
• Broad program aimed at reducing emissions in all mobile sources (e.g., buses and trucks)
• Must utilize EPA-approved technologies
Web site: ncair.org/motor/ms_grants
Phone: (919) 733-1498
Oregon
Everybody Wins Program
• $500,000 in total funds received from the EPA’s SmartWay program
• Provides zero-interest financing for purchase of anti-idling technology
Web site: lrapa.org/projects/everybody_wins
Phone: (541) 736-1056
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Small Business
Advantage Grant Program
• Wide-reaching program aimed at all small businesses
• Provides 50 percent of matching grants, up to $7,500, for qualified technology
Web site: www.depweb.state.pa.us (click on “Small Business Advantage Grant Program” under “Energy Topics)
Phone: (717) 772-5160
Texas
Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants
Program
• Grants limited to residency in specific counties listed on Web site
• Funds can be used for lease, purchase, replacement or retrofit of anti-idling technology
Web site: terpgrants.org
Phone: (801) 536-4175
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Diesel Truck Idling
Reduction Grant Program
• $250,000 designated specifically for small fleets of 50 or fewer trucks
• Reimbursement of 70 percent of the equipment cost and installation
• Trucks must be headquartered in Wisconsin
Web site: commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-CA-Diesel-Grant-Program.html
Phone: (608) 267-9214
Clarissa Kell-Holland of the Land Line staff contributed to this report.
