§16092 Diesel Truck Retrofit and Fleet Modernization Program

Summary

Sets up a competitive grant program run by the EPA Administrator, working with the Secretary, to give money to public agencies for diesel truck retrofits and fleet upgrades. Grants can only go to state or local governments or their agencies (including multistate agencies), with preference for ports and big hauling operations. The EPA must try to spread grants across many areas and favor projects that cut the most pollution per project or per truck, or that use EPA- or California-verified retrofit technology on trucks that run only on ultra-low sulfur diesel after September 2006. Grants must follow rules: replaced trucks to be retrofitted must be model year 1998 or older, used for cargo or major hauling (especially in ports), and use ultra-low sulfur diesel where available or required. Grant money may buy retrofit equipment (including state taxes and contract fees). Recipients must pay at least 50% of retrofit costs from other sources. The EPA had to publish grant and verification procedures in the Federal Register within 90 days after August 8, 2005, including proof that diesel will be no more than 15 parts per million sulfur after September 2006. Funding authorized: $20,000,000 for FY2006, $35,000,000 for FY2007, $45,000,000 for FY2008, and whatever is needed for FY2009 and FY2010.