EPA to Award Up to $3M in Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Projects

19 July 2008

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting proposals for the development and commercialization of emerging technologies that reduce diesel emissions from on-road and non-road vehicles. Total estimated funding for this opportunity is approximately $3 million. EPA anticipates making 2-5 cooperative agreements, ranging from US$200,000 – US$1,000,000.

The eligible entities for these awards—agencies or authorities with responsibility for the improvement of transportation air quality or non-profit organizations providing services in the area—are to partner with the manufacturer of an emerging emissions control technology to install the technology on an appropriate fleet for testing and evaluation.

An emerging technology is defined as device or strategy that reduces emissions such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and other air toxics that has not been previously certified or verified by EPA or the California Air Resources Board (CARB) but for which an approvable application and test plan has been submitted for verification. Two examples of an emerging technology are a hydraulic hybrid system used in “stop and go” operations or a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system used in a marine or locomotive application.

The EPA publishes a list of eligible emerging technologies on its website. Currently, there are three emerging technologies posted:

• The Marine Emissions Upgrade Group from Caterpillar that reduces PM in Caterpillar marine engines > 750 hp;

• A urea SCR system from Johnson Matthey (SCRT-1000) targeted at heavy-duty, 250 – 500 hp on-road diesels; and

• A urea SCR system from Nett Technologies (BlueMAX) targeted at non-road, heavy-duty Caterpillar engines.