Exposure to diesel exhaust, even at low levels, is a serious health hazard that can cause respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, lung damage, and increased risk of lung cancer. The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) established the Nebraska Clean Diesel Program in 2008 to distribute funding received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the purpose of reducing diesel emissions.
This funding was authorized by Congress in the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), which was created as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The DERA program provides funding annually to states for the establishment of grant, rebate, and loan programs that reduce diesel emissions. NDEE is supplementing the federal DERA grant with matching funds from the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust for State Beneficiaries.
Program Accomplishments
Since its inception, NDEE’s Clean Diesel Program has:
- awarded $6,224,035 to 223 recipients
- funded early replacement of 40 school buses by new cleaner-burning buses
- funded early replacement of 31 diesel trucks by new cleaner-burning trucks
- funded replacement of 130 diesel irrigation engines with all-electric equipment
- retrofit pollution control devices on 334 diesel engines
- installed idle-reducing auxiliary power units on 39 long-haul trucks
- reduced nitrogen oxide emissions by 1,100 tons
- reduced diesel particulate emissions by 53 tons
- reduced hydrocarbon emissions by 73 tons
- reduced carbon monoxide emissions by 227 tons
Request for Projects for EPA Competitive DERA Grant
In fall 2022 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to open the application period for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Competitive Grant Program. The goal of this program is to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions. Although private fleet owners are not eligible to apply directly to EPA for this funding, projects involving both public and private fleets may be included in an application submitted by a state, local, or tribal government or by an eligible nonprofit organization.
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is considering applying for a DERA National Competitive Grant as a supplement to the annual Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate Program. The department is soliciting information on potential projects that could be included in such an application.
More information, eligibility criteria, and forms for proposing projects can be found here: http://dee.ne.gov/Publica.nsf/pages/22-056.
2022 Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate Program
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s 2022 Clean Diesel Rebate Program offers rebates for projects described below.
To be eligible to receive a rebate, you (or your organization) must be in compliance with all Nebraska environmental laws and with the Department’s regulations and permits at all Nebraska locations.
Agricultural Irrigation Pump Diesel Engine Replacement with Electric Equipment
(The application period for this program closes at 5:00 pm on December 15, 2022.)
Funding is available through the Nebraska Clean Diesel Program to assist farmers with the replacement of an irrigation pump diesel engine with:
- an electric motor, or
- connecting a submersible pump directly to the electric grid.
NDEE anticipates funding eighteen (18) irrigation engine rebates.
- The current diesel engine must be in operating condition and have operated at least 250 hours each year over the past two years. Documentation of operating hours is required.
- The applicant must submit documentation that they have owned the engine to be replaced for at least two years prior to submission of the application.
- The diesel engine must have a remaining service life of at least three years based on age, condition, and usage.
- The diesel engine must be replaced with an electric motor or, if the engine powers a generator that runs a submersible pump, by directly connecting the submersible pump to the electric grid.
- The replaced diesel engine must be disabled (scrapped).
- NDEE will reimburse 60% of the cost of the electric motor, installation, and/or required electrical infrastructure (including electric line extension) up to a maximum rebate of $20,000.
- Each operator may apply for a maximum of one rebate for one engine.
- Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the public health benefit and the amount and cost-effectiveness of the emissions reduction (determined by NDEE from the annual hours of operation, fuel use, and estimated remaining years of service of the replaced engine).
More information and application materials can be found here: 2022 Clean Diesel Irrigation Engine Rebate Applications and Instructions.
If your organization was selected to receive a rebate, information on carrying out and documenting your project and requesting reimbursement can be found here: 2022 Clean Diesel Irrigation Engine Rebate Selectee Information.
2021 Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate Program
Diesel School Bus Replacements by Diesel, Gasoline, or Low-NOx Propane-Powered Buses
If your organization was selected to receive a rebate, information on carrying out and documenting your project and requesting reimbursement can be found here: 21-028 2021 Clean Diesel School Bus Rebate Selectee Information.
Diesel Refuse Truck Replacements by Diesel or Low-NOx Compressed Natural Gas-Powered Trucks
If your organization was selected to receive a rebate, information on carrying out and documenting your project and requesting reimbursement can be found here: 21-025 2021 Clean Diesel Truck Rebate Selectee Information.
Agricultural Irrigation Pump Diesel Engine Replacement with Electric Equipment
If your organization was selected to receive a rebate, information on carrying out and documenting your project and requesting reimbursement can be found here: 21-026 2021 Clean Diesel Irrigation Engine Rebate Selectee Information.
2020 Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate Program
Diesel Truck Replacements by Diesel or Low-NOx Compressed Natural Gas-Powered Trucks
Agricultural Irrigation Pump Diesel Engine Replacement with Electric Equipment
2019 Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate Program
Diesel Truck Replacements by Diesel or Low-NOx Compressed Natural Gas-Powered Trucks
Who to Contact with Questions
List of Current Year Rebate Recipients
Below is a table that provides a list of the Nebraska Clean Diesel rebates awarded during the current grant year by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
2021 Diesel Refuse Truck Replacement Rebate Recipients
Name | Location | Replacement Technology | Rebate Amount |
Abe’s Trash Service | Sarpy County | 2 Diesel Refuse Trucks | $138,600 |
Gretna Sanitation | Gretna | 1 CNG Refuse Truck | $120,000 |
Papillion Sanitation | Sarpy County | 2 Diesel Refuse trucks | $140,000 |
2021 Diesel School Bus Replacement Rebate Recipients
Name | Location | Replacement Technology | Rebate Amount |
Arlington Public School | Arlington | Diesel School Bus | $21,000 |
Bloomfield Community Schools | Bloomfield | Diesel School Bus | $21,000 |
Broken Bow Public Schools | Broken Bow | Diesel School Bus | $21,000 |
Doc Holiday Express | Grand Island | Propane School Bus | $33,000 |
Elmwood-Murdock Public Schools | Murdock | Diesel School Bus | $21,000 |
Falls City Public Schools District 56 | Falls City | Diesel School Bus | $21,000 |
Maywood Public Schools | Maywood | Propane School Bus | $33,000 |
Palmyra Schools District OR-1 | Palmyra | Diesel School Bus | $21,000 |
Pleasanton Public Schools | Pleasanton | Propane School Bus | $33,000 |
South Central USD #5 | Fairfield | Gasoline School Bus | $16,569 |
Wakefield Community Schools | Wakefield | Diesel School Bus | $21,000 |
Wausa Public Schools | Wausa | Propane School Bus | $33,000 |
Waverly Public Schools #145 | Waverly | Diesel School Bus | $21,000 |
2021 Diesel Irrigation Engine Replacement Rebate Recipients
Name | County | Replacement Technology | Rebate Amount |
CKS Farms Inc. | Hall | Electric Motor | $12,908 |
Clark, Rod | Wheeler | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
CLM Enterprises - Paul Troyer | Holt | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Fanning, Craig | Chase | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Goertz Family Farms LLC | Keith | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Goertzen, Danny | Perkins | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Goertzen, Wendel | Perkins | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Kallhoff, Alice Rev. Trust | Antelope | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Kerkman Sandhills Farms | Holt | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Krieger, Lowell | Holt | Electric Motor | $19,997 |
Laird, Barbara E. | Wheeler | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Larson, Tamara | Wheeler | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
LDP Inc. | Perkins | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
MTC Properties | Lincoln | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Nelson Agri Corp | Keith | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
O & W Dairy Farm | Antelope | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
OBrien, Dale | Hayes | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Oeltjen, Charles | Greeley | Electric Motor | $19,238 |
Olson, L.R. and Sons Inc | Jefferson | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Olson, Ron | Jefferson | Electric Motor | $19,995 |
Peaster, Bruce L | Perkins | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Plejdrup, Harold | Hall | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Reiman, James B. Farms Inc. | Boyd | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Riley, James | Buffalo | Electric Motor | $20,000 |
Schrader, David | Antelope | Electric Motor | $16,317 |
Sehi Farms Inc. | Antelope | Electric Motor | $18,969 |
Williby, Neil | Antelope | Electric Motor | $14,840 |
Z Brothers LLC | Antelope | Electric Motor | $9,248 |
Zuhlke, Derek | Antelope | Electric Motor | $13,943 |
Zuhlke, Dillan | Antelope | Electric Motor | $13,754 |
List of Past Clean Diesel Awards
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