Clean Fuels Grant Program: Solicitation of Project Proposals

FTA will make available approximately $51.5 million to fund projects from non-attainment or maintenance areas in achieving or maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and carbon monoxide (CO). Additionally, FTA is expanding the eligible applicant pool and may fund projects that meet the Clean Fuels Grant Program objectives in attainment areas using a portion of discretionary Bus and Bus Facilities Program resources that are available. Details contained in Federal Register Volume 77, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)] [Notices] [Pages 6178-6190] at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-07/pdf/2012-2752.pdf Eligible Applicants: Designated recipients in maintenance or non-attainment areas for ozone or CO under section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7407(d)), that are entities designated to receive Federal urbanized formula funds under 49 U.S.C. 5307. Tribes, States and Designated Recipients may submit consolidated proposals for projects in non-urbanized areas. FTA will also accept applications from direct recipients, Tribes, and State Departments of Transportation in attainment areas for projects that meet eligibility criteria under the Bus and Bus Facilities Program. Eligible Projects: (1) Purchasing or leasing clean fuel buses, including buses that employ a lightweight composite primary structure and vans for use in revenue service; (2) Constructing or leasing clean fuel bus facilities or electrical recharging facilities and related equipment for such buses; or (3) Projects relating to clean fuel, biodiesel, hybrid electric, or zero emissions technology buses that exhibit equivalent or superior emissions reductions to existing clean fuel or hybrid electric technologies. Funds made available under this program cannot be used to fund operating expenses or preventive maintenance; to purchase or lease of non-revenue vehicles; or to reimburse projects that have incurred prior eligible expenses without a Letter of No Prejudice (LONP) issued by FTA for the project before the costs are incurred.