The Utah Clean Cities Board of Directors and staff welcomes inquiries from interested community members, businesses and organizations. You’ll find our team helpful and inclusive. We look forward to helping you get started with a Utah Clean Cities membership, and involved in one (or more) of our many programs or grants today!
Updated September 2023
USDOT: Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program
It is the first-ever program to help reconnect communities that were previously cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure. Funding supports planning grants and capital construction grants, as well as technical assistance, to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation, or replacement of eligible transportation infrastructure facilities.
Funds for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 RCP Program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development.
Webinar Recording Available
A recording of the July 14 webinar and a copy of the slides are available on the RCP website.
Additional upcoming webinars can be found here.
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Quick Facts
Planning Grants
Planning grants may be used to study the feasibility and impacts of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating an existing eligible facility or to conduct planning activities necessary to design a project to remove, retrofit, or mitigate an existing eligible facility.
Who is eligible to apply for planning grant funding?
- States
- Units of local government
- Federally recognized Tribal governments
- Metropolitan planning organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
Eligible planning activities
- Planning studies of: current traffic patterns on the eligible facility proposed for removal, retrofit, or mitigation and the surrounding street network; transportation network capacity; alternative roadway designs or other uses for the right-of-way; impacts to the mobility of freight and people; impacts to the safety of the traveling public; cost; anticipated economic impacts and environmental impacts both human and natural.
- Public engagement activities to provide the public opportunities to provide input into a plan to remove and convert an eligible facility.
- Other transportation planning activities required in advance of a project to remove, retrofit, or mitigate an existing eligible facility to restore community connectivity, as determined by DOT.
Technical Assistance
The Department must prioritize technical assistance to economically disadvantaged communities. The Department anticipates focusing its technical assistance on recipients that demonstrate need as underserved, overburdened, and disadvantaged communities.
Technical assistance is for building organizational or community capacity to engage in transportation planning and to identify innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges, including reconnecting communities that are bifurcated by eligible facilities or lack safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options.
Capital Construction Grants
Capital construction grants may be used for projects for which all necessary studies and other planning activities have been completed to remove, retrofit, mitigate, or to replace an existing eligible facility.
Who is eligible to apply for capital construction grant funding?
- Facility Owner
- The Facility Owner of the eligible facility under consideration must serve as the recipient for capital construction grants. This is likely to be a State or local government agency with jurisdiction for transportation.
- A Facility Owner must satisfy other eligibility requirements to receive a planning grant.
- Partnerships between the Facility Owner and the other entities listed as eligible planning grant applicants.
Eligible capital construction projects
- Removal, retrofit, or mitigation of an existing eligible facility.
- Replacement of an eligible facility with a new facility that restores community connectivity and is sensitive to the context of the surrounding community.
Opportunity Number: DOT-RCP-FY22-01
UCAIR 2022-2023 Grant Funding - Request for Proposals
The UCAIR Grant Selection Committee is requesting applications for projects addressing any of the four areas listed below. For the 2022-2023 UCAIR Grant cycle applications that do not fall under one of these areas of interest will not be considered.
- Reduction of emissions from area sources that contribute to both wintertime inversion and summertime ozone seasons, including but not limited to residential homes and commercial sources such as, dry cleaners, print shops, gas stations and auto body paint shops.
- Projects and programs specifically targeting summertime precursor emissions contributing to ozone
- Programs utilizing emerging technologies that result in measurable emissions reductions.
- Reduction of emissions in underserved areas:
- Socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
- Areas of opportunity (geographic, industry, sector) that have not received adequate financial support.
AREAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING
While UCAIR is supportive of efforts in the areas below, we recognize that they are being addressed through other funding mechanisms, or do not fall within our mission. Significant state and private funding have recently been allocated to support EV infrastructure and air quality sensors, so UCAIR will focus its limited grant resources on other pursuits. Following the guidance of the UCAIR Grant Selection Committee, this year’s funding will not be awarded to the following areas:
- Installation and/or support of air quality measurement instruments
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
- General education and awareness, including toolkits
- Political speech
Grant Timeline
- Monday, June 15, 2022 – Grant Application Opened
- Friday, July 29, 2022 – Letter of Intent Form due
- Friday, August 26, 2022 – Responses back to prospective applicants
- Friday, September 23, 2022 – Application Form due
- Tuesday, November 18, 2022 – Grant Recipient Announcement
EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Since its inception in 1994, the Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) Program has awarded more than $37 million in funding to over 1500 community-based organizations, tribal governments, and Native American organizations working with communities facing environmental justice issues.
The Environmental Justice Small Grants Program supports and empowers communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues. The program is designed to help communities understand and address exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. Environmental Justice Small Grants fund projects up to $100,000, depending on the availability of funds in a given year. All projects are associated with at least one qualified environmental statute.
To learn more, click here
USDOT: Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announces the availability of up to $100 million in Federal funding to repair and replace existing, but non-operational, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Under this NOFO entitled Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator, the Government intends to award multiple grants to eligible applicants. Eligible applicants for this program are limited to State departments of transportation and local governments. Stay tuned for updates and upcoming webinars.
Funding Guidelines:
- Replace broken or non-operational publicly accessible level 2 and DC fast chargers
- Chargers must be listed under the Alternative Fuel Data Center (AFDC) as of Oct 11, 2023
- State or local government chargers
Cost Share:
80% federal and 20% applicant matching
Application Deadline:
November 13th, 2023
Updated September 2023
Vehicle Repair and Replacement Assistance Program (VRRAP)
The Vehicle Repair and Replacement Assistance Program (VRRAP) provides funding assistance to individuals whose vehicles are failing vehicle emission standards to either replace their failing vehicle with a newer, cleaner one or to repair it. The programs are administered by local health departments and made possible through a grant sub-award to them from the Utah Division of Air Quality.
Eligible Region(s): Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele, and Weber Counties
Conversion to Alternative Fuel Grant Program
The Conversion to Alternative Fuel Grant Program allows businesses that convert vehicles to run on natural gas, propane, or electricity to apply for a grant of up to $2,500 per conversion. The conversion business is then required to pass along the savings to the owner of the eligible vehicle being converted.
There are two steps in the process of obtaining a grant.
Step 1: Preliminary Approval Application
The Preliminary Approval Application process will determine if the proposed project is eligible for an Alternative Fuel Grant and if there are adequate funds for the proposed conversion. All applicants must obtain preliminary approval. To obtain preliminary approval, one of the following applications for the alternative fuel must be submitted: Electric , Natural, and Propane
After submitting the Preliminary Application, the applicant will receive an email that will indicate the status of the application. If the Preliminary Application is approved, the applicant will have up to 60 calendar days from the date of the email to submit a complete Final Approval Application. If the Final Approval Application is not received within the 60 calendar days, the funding may no longer be available for the conversion.
Step 2: Final Approval and Payment Process
Once the vehicle has been converted, the applicant must complete the Final Approval Application (see below) and submit all the required documentation for the appropriate conversion. The final invoice must include a receipt signed by the vehicle owner that includes the itemized costs and demonstrates that the grant has been passed on to the vehicle owner.
Alternative Fuel Heavy-Duty Vehicle Tax Credit
Qualified taxpayers may claim a non-refundable tax credit for the purchase of a Category 7 or Category 8 natural gas, 100% electric, or a hydrogen-electric vehicle. These tax credits are limited.
The state provides an income tax credit for the qualified purchase of a natural gas, a 100% electric, or a hydrogen-electric heavy-duty vehicle which is defined in 59-7-618.1 and 59-10-1033.1 UCA as a commercial category 7 or 8 vehicle that has never been titled or registered. Class 7 and Class 8 vehicles are classified by the gross vehicle weight rating, which is also known as their GVWR. A Class 7 vehicle has a GVWR between 26,001 and 33,000 pounds. A Class 8 vehicle has a GVWR higher than 33,000 pounds. These vehicles usually have three axles, but some will have five axles in order to haul a trailer with substantial weight on it. Some examples would be a 5-axle tractor-trailer (Semi or 18-wheeler), cement trucks, dump trucks, and refuse haulers. Operators of Class 7 and 8 trucks must have a commercial driver’s license, also called a CDL.
The Utah Legislature authorized the credit during the 2021 General Session for tax year 2021 through 2030. The following table shows the tax credit for each tax year.
Eligible Region(s): Statewide
Uintah Basin Oil and Gas Engine Exchange
This program provides financial assistance for up to 40% off the cost to replace non-road, stationary, gas engines (engine model year 2008 or older) which support oil and gas production. New, replacement engines must meet the most recent new source performance standards required by Subpart JJJJ.
Eligible Region(s): Uinta County, UT; Duchesne County, UT
Utah Clean Diesel Program
Fleet owners can use this program to replace or upgrade old, dirty diesel vehicles with newer, cleaner options.
Eligible Region(s): Statewide, with preference given to PM2.5 and Ozone Non-attainment Areas
Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging Funding Assistance Program (EVSE)
The EV Charging Incentive Program allow businesses, non-profits, and non-state government to apply for a grant that will cover the purchase and install of EV chargers. Funds will be used for the purchase of Level 2 or DC fast charging EV chargers.
Eligible Region(s): Statewide
UDOT: Road Usage Charge Program
UCAIR Funding Opportunity
UCAIR Funding Opportunities
Since 2013, the UCAIR Grants Program has encouraged Utah’s businesses, government entities and nonprofit organizations to bring forward creative and innovative ideas. The goal of the UCAIR Grants Program is to reduce emissions of criteria pollutants that cause Utah’s poor air quality. Although applicant organizations may propose projects in any area that may decrease criteria pollutants within our State.
Grant Timeline
- Monday, June 12, 2023 – Grant Application Opens
- Friday, August 4, 2023 – Letter of Intent Form due
- Friday, August 25, 2023 – Responses Sent to Prospective Applicants
- Friday, September 29, 2023 – Full Applications Due
- Friday, November 17, 2023 – Grant Recipient Announcement
Magnum + UCAIR E-Bike Incentive Program
UCAIR and Magnum Bikes are partnering to offer Utah residents up to $800 off the purchase of select Magnum e-bikes and up to $1,200 off select Magnum cargo e-bikes. For eligible income-qualified Utah residents, these voucher amounts go up to $1,000 and $1,400 respectively.
The vouchers offered through this program will be applied as an upfront discount on the original sale price of select Magnum commuter, mountain, cruiser and cargo e-bikes.
Two levels of vouchers are available: standard and income-qualified.
Standard Voucher:
All Utah residents (age 18+) can save:
■ $600 on select commuter e-bikes
■ $800 on select cruiser e-bikes
■ $1,200 on select cargo e-bikes
Click here to apply and find out more about the benefits and categories of E-bikes that are eligible under this incentive program.
Income-Qualified Voucher:
Eligible Utah residents who meet income-qualified requirements can save:
■ $800 on select commuter e-bikes
■ $1,000 on select cruiser e-bikes
■ $1,400 on select cargo e-bikes
Federal Alternative Fuel and Infrastructure Tax Credits
Several alternative fuel federal tax credits have been extended including tax credits for biodiesel, CNG and propane, and for fueling infrastructure for E85, biodiesel, CNG, propane and electricity, including residential. Be sure to take a look at the Alternative Fuels Data Center to see what’s changed and how you can take advantage of these updated tax credits.
USDOE: Federal Tax Credits for All-Electric and Plug-in Hybrids
Federal Tax Credit Up to $7,500!
All-electric and plug-in hybrid cars purchased new in or after 2010 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. The credit amount will vary based on the capacity of the battery used to power the vehicle. State and/or local incentives may also apply.
Pre-owned all-electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles purchased on or after January 1, 2023, may be eligible for a federal income tax credit. The credit equals 30% percent of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000. The credit is nonrefundable, so you can't get back more on the credit than you owe in taxes. Also, you can't apply any excess credit to future tax years.
Small neighborhood electric vehicles do not qualify for this credit, but they may qualify for another credit.
USDOT: R.O.U.T.E.S Toolkit for Rural Oppurtunities
Toolkit for the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S.)
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has developed this Applicant Toolkit to provide guidance as part of the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S.) Initiative to support potential applicants in identifying and navigating USDOT discretionary grant funding opportunities for rural transportation projects. In support of the initiative’s goals, this toolkit provides user-friendly information and resources to support rural applicants’ understanding of USDOT discretionary grant programs and the funding process.
The Applicant Toolkit is designed for all levels of grant applicant experience, aiming to enhance access to USDOT resources for rural transportation projects. Specifically, this toolkit illustrates key applicant activities when participating in the USDOT discretionary grants process, catalogues USDOT discretionary grant programs by applicant type and eligible project activities in a USDOT Discretionary Grant Funding Matrix, and provides resources for applicants to maximize the potential for award success.
R.O.U.T.E.S. will embark on three activities:
- Collecting input from stakeholders on the benefits rural projects offer for safety and economic outcomes, as well as the type and degree of assistance rural projects require;
- Providing user-friendly information to rural communities to enhance understanding about DOT’s infrastructure grant options;
- Improving DOT’s data-driven approaches to better assess needs and benefits of rural transportation infrastructure projects
EPA: Clean School Bus Program
EPA anticipates awarding approximately $400 million in competitive grant funding under the Clean School Bus (CSB) Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The program solicited applications nationwide for a grant competition to fund the replacement of existing school buses with clean and zero-emission (ZE) school buses.
Clean School Bus Benefits
- Cleaner air. Electric and alternatively-fueled buses eliminate or reduce school bus exhaust, which is linked to asthma.
- Reduced health risks, especially for children whose lungs are still developing.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change.
- Grid resilience. Using bidirectional chargers, school buses can store energy for distribution to the grid when needed.
Learn More
- Benefits of Clean School Buses
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Clean School Bus Program: Initial Implementation Report to Congress (pdf) (January 2022, EPA-420-R-22-002)
- Clean School Bus Program Fact Sheet (pdf) (December 2021, EPA-420-F-21-075)
- Hoja Informativa: Programa de Autobuses Escolares Ecológicos (pdf)
Timeline
- Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) CLOSED - Application Deadline Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
- Anticipated Notification of Selection - November 2023 to January 2024
- Anticipated Awards - February to March 2024
USDOE: Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity have launched a new Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize. Phase Two submissions will open in March 2022 and close in March 2023 and will provide cash prizes of up to $250,000 each ($2.5 million total) to groups and organizations to support entrepreneurship and innovation in communities historically underrepresented and underserved in the energy sector. If you want help applying, contact us for free coaching.
Fleet EV Resources
