Clean Diesel Grant Program Upgrade – Temporary Rule

The 2013 Oregon Legislature unanimously adopted SB 249 which allows the Department to administer federal grants received for clean diesel projects in accordance with federal grant guidelines. A temporary rule, intended to facilitate timely implementation of projects will be presented to the Commission for their consideration at the October meeting. A permanent rule will be presented for consideration at the March 2014 meeting.

When clean diesel project funding was first authorized in 2007, supported by general fund appropriation and tax credits, the strategic focus was on supporting a limited spectrum of cost effective clean diesel actions that were not supported by other funding opportunities. Since that time state resources have been eliminated leaving federal grants as the primary funding source.

Adopting the Federal criteria will support a wider range of eligible clean diesel actions including assistance with whole vehicle and equipment replacement.