Currently, EPA does not require contractors to reduce emissions from their existing construction fleets. Instead, the agency has adopted a "Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program" to encourage contractors to—

• properly maintain their equipment
• reduce idling
• retrofit diesel engines with verified technologies
• replace older equipment
• use cleaner fuels
• repower equipment (i.e. replace older engines with newer, cleaner engines).

Federal funding is now available to support these diesel emission reduction strategies! 

EPA's National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has available nearly $50 million in grant funding to reduce emissions from diesel engines nationwide – including those used in exiting fleets of construction equipment.  This unprecedented sum, which was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and funded for the first time in fiscal year 2008, is now being administered by EPA's "National Clean Diesel Campaign" (NCDC) through its network of seven "Clean Diesel Collaboratives."  EPA will award money this fall to "eligible entities" (like AGC Chapters) that prevail in a series of regional grant competitions.

EPA Fact Sheet: Funding Assistance Program FY2008 - Regional Competition

EPA Presentation: FY 2008 Clean Diesel Program Overview

Clean Diesel Collaboratives Contacts Sheet

Energy Policy Act of 2005 text and summary

EPA Web site: NCDC Grants & Funding, Verified Technologies List, Diesel Emissions Quantifier

AGC Article: AGC of Kentucky Receives EPA Grant To Fund Diesel Retrofit Pilot Project

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program

The federal government also provides significant funding for diesel retrofit through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program.  CMAQ is a flexible funding source for state and local governments to fund transportation projects and programs that help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act.  Approximately $8.6 billion in CMAQ funds is available for FY 2005 – 2009.

Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) Fact Sheet: CMAQ - A Funding Source for Diesel Retrofits

DTF Guide: CMAQ Funded Diesel Retrofit Projects

DTF Web site: CMAQ Information