South Carolina State Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Grant Program

The South Carolina State Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services through its Bureau of Air Quality, using federal funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. The program originates from the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which authorized EPA to support state-level initiatives aimed at reducing harmful diesel emissions. In South Carolina, this funding is used to address persistent air quality challenges caused by older diesel engines that continue to emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which negatively impact both environmental and human health. The primary purpose of this grant program is to fund projects that implement cost-effective diesel emission reduction strategies across the state. Eligible projects include engine retrofits, upgrades to cleaner fuels, idle reduction technologies, aerodynamic improvements, and full replacement of engines, vehicles, or equipment with certified cleaner alternatives. The program specifically targets older diesel-powered assets that contribute significantly to emissions, with the goal of improving compliance with national air quality standards and enhancing public health outcomes. Funding for the program is approximately 408000 dollars for the 2024 fiscal cycle, and it is distributed competitively to qualified applicants. Eligible applicants include county and city governments, local government entities, private organizations, businesses, and universities operating within South Carolina. Projects must demonstrate that the replacement or upgraded equipment will perform similar functions to the original and remain primarily in use within the state. Additionally, any replaced equipment must be permanently disabled within a defined timeframe to ensure emissions reductions are realized. Applicants are required to provide cost-share or matching funds from nonfederal sources, as outlined in the EPA State DERA Program Guide. Funds may only be used for eligible emission reduction technologies that are verified by the EPA or the California Air Resources Board. The program prohibits the use of funds to expand fleets or to comply with regulatory mandates already required under federal law. All expenditures must occur after the execution of a contract with the administering agency, and reimbursement is issued upon verification of expenses. The application process requires submission of a detailed proposal that includes a project description, timeline, budget with matching funds, eligibility documentation, emissions reduction estimates using EPA tools, and supporting materials such as equipment specifications and photographs. Applications must not exceed ten pages excluding letters of support. Proposals are evaluated based on criteria including expected emissions reductions, cost-effectiveness, project feasibility, geographic impact, sustainability, and innovation. A review committee assigns scores and ranks proposals for funding recommendations. The application deadline for primary consideration is June 12, 2026, with applications accepted afterward on a rolling basis as long as funds remain available. Selected applicants are notified in July 2026, with contracts executed in August 2026. Projects must be completed by September 30, 2027, and require quarterly reporting throughout the grant period, with a final report due shortly after project completion. Questions and submissions are directed to the program email contact, and applicants are encouraged to review all materials provided through the official program webpage for complete guidance.

Focus on demonstrating measurable emissions reductions and cost effectiveness; prioritize projects in high impact or disadvantaged areas; ensure all technical documentation and eligibility requirements are complete and accurate