The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting grant applications to replace, repower, or retrofit fleet diesel-powered trucks, buses, and other vehicles and equipment through the Driving PA Forward program. More than $2.6 million will be available due to the 2018 settlement with Volkswagen, relating to emissions cheating.

“Reducing emissions from diesel engines is an important tool for improving the air we breathe,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell in a statement. “Whether it is a school district upgrading their school bus fleet or a private company repowering their delivery trucks, projects under the Clean Diesel Grant Program lead to cleaner air and lower emissions.”

Mobile source emissions in Pennsylvania from sources like diesel engines account for nearly half of nitrogen oxide pollution, which can lead to ground-level ozone formation and poor air quality.

Grants are available for both public and private entities, including school districts, local and federal government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Eligible vehicles include school and transit buses, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, marine engines, and on-road and off-road engines used in certain applications. Eligible projects include exhaust controls, engine upgrades and remanufacture systems, verified idle reduction technologies, verified aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires, engine replacement, and vehicle and equipment replacement.

Applications are due Feb. 28. For more information, visit the DEP's Driving PA Forward webpage at www.dep.pa.gov/drivingpaforward.