Idle Reduction Laws and Incentives in Federal
The list below contains summaries of all Federal laws and incentives related to idle reduction.
Programs
Clean Cities Coalition Network
The mission of Clean Cities Coalition Network is to foster the economic, environmental, and energy security of the United States by working locally to advance affordable, domestic transportation fuels and technologies. Nearly 100 volunteer coalitions carry out this mission by developing public/private partnerships to promote alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy, improvements, and emerging transportation technologies. The Clean Cities Coalition Network provides information about financial opportunities, coordinates technical assistance projects, updates and maintains databases and websites, and publishes technical and informational materials. For more information, see the Clean Cities Coalition Network website.
Point of Contact
U.S. Department of Energy
Phone: (202) 586-5000
http://www.energy.gov
Clean School Bus
Clean School Bus is a public-private partnership that focuses on reducing children's exposure to harmful diesel exhaust by limiting school bus idling, implementing pollution reduction technologies, improving route logistics, and switching to clean fuels. Clean School Bus is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program and provides funding for projects designed to retrofit and/or replace older diesel school buses. Eligible applicants are school districts, state and local government programs, federally recognized Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations. The rebate application period typically opens in the fall. For more information, see the Reducing Diesel Emissions from School Buses website.
Point of Contact
DERA Helpline
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Phone: (877) 623-2322
dera@epa.gov
https://www.epa.gov/dera
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program
The CMAQ Program provides funding to state departments of transportation (DOTs), local governments, and transit agencies for projects and programs that help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act by reducing mobile source emissions and regional congestion on transportation networks. Eligible activities include transit improvements, travel demand management strategies, congestion relief efforts (such as high occupancy vehicle lanes), diesel retrofit projects, and alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure. Projects supported with CMAQ funds must demonstrate emissions reductions, be located in or benefit a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-designated nonattainment or maintenance area, and be a transportation project. For more information, see the FAST Act CMAQ fact sheet and CMAQ Improvement Program website. (Reference Public Law 112-141, 23 U.S. Code 149, and 23 U.S. Code 151)
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the DERA Program to reduce pollution emitted from diesel engines through the implementation of varied control strategies and the involvement of national, state, and local partners. DERA includes programs for existing diesel fleets, regulations for clean diesel engines and fuels, and regional collaborations and partnerships. For information on available grants and funding opportunities, see the DERA Funding website.
Point of Contact
DERA Helpline
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Phone: (877) 623-2322
dera@epa.gov
https://www.epa.gov/dera
SmartWay Transport Partnership
The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a market-based public-private collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the domestic freight industry. This partnership is designed to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution by accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and operational practices which increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions from goods movement. EPA provides partners with performance benchmarking tools, fleet management best practices, technology verification, public recognition and awards, and use of the SmartWay Transport Partner logo to demonstrate their leadership to customers, shareholders and other stakeholders. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is working with partners to test and verify advanced technologies and operational practices that save fuel and reduce emissions. Grants are available to states, non-profits, and academic institutions to demonstrate innovative idle reduction technologies for the trucking industry. For more information, see the SmartWay Transport Partnership website.
Point of Contact
SmartWay Transport Partnership
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Phone: (734) 214-4767
smartway_transport@epa.gov
http://www.epa.gov/smartway
Incentives
Idle Reduction Equipment Excise Tax Exemption
Qualified on-board idle reduction devices and advanced insulation are exempt from the federal excise tax imposed on the retail sale of heavy-duty highway trucks and trailers. The exemption also applies to the installation of qualified equipment on vehicles after the vehicles have been placed into service. For a list of eligible products and additional information about product exemption eligibility criteria, see the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) SmartWay Technology Program Federal Excise Tax Exemption website. The exemption applies to equipment that EPA, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Transportation, identified as reducing the idling of the tractor at a motor vehicle rest stop or other location where such vehicles are temporarily parked or remain stationary. Only equipment sold on or after October 4, 2008, is eligible. For more information, see IRS Publication 510 and the instructions for IRS Form 720, which are available on the IRS Forms and Publications website. (Reference 26 U.S. Code 4053)
Point of Contact
Excise Tax Branch
U.S. Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel
Phone: (202) 317-6855
http://www.irs.gov/
Laws and Regulations
Idle Reduction Technology Weight Exemption
States may allow heavy-duty vehicles equipped with idle reduction technology to exceed the maximum gross vehicle weight limit and the axle weight limit by up to 550 pounds to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction technology. This allowance does not impact state highway funding eligibility. (Reference Public Law 112-141 and 23 U.S. Code 127(a)(12))
More Laws and Incentives
To find laws and incentives for other alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, search all laws and incentives.