The Pollution Control Agency has announced the availability of $3.7 million to fund delivery trucks and transit buses.  Funding is available for Class 4 – 8 transit buses and trucks including short-haul delivery trucks, refuse haulers, cement trucks, box trucks and drayage trucks.  Long-haul trucks and school buses do not qualify.  Awarded diesel on-road vehicle replacement projects may be reimbursed with grant awards up to 25% of vehicle replacement cost or $40,000 per vehicle, whichever is less, including infrastructure for electric vehicle charging only. Applicants are allowed to request an additional 10% to cover any administrative costs by eligible contractors. The funding is divided into two categories based on the location of vehicle operation. Proposed vehicle projects will be evaluated and awarded within their respective location category: 40% of the funds are dedicated to replacing vehicles that operate in Greater Minnesota; 60% of the funds are dedicated to replacing vehicles that operate in the Twin Cities 7-County Metropolitan Area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties). If the amount listed for either category is not fully awarded, remaining funds will be awarded in the other category. The deadline for applications is July 9, 2019.  More details here:  https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/heavy-duty-onroad-trucks-buses-grant.

Phase II Plan - Request for Comments & Public Meetings:  The MPCA is soliciting comments and has scheduled 10 listening sessions around the state in June for people to weigh in on initiatives that could help impact emissions that affect communities of color and lower income.   The first Environmental Mitigation Plan finalized by the state set a goal of investing 20% of the funds in areas of concern for environmental justice in the Twin Cities and another 20% of the funds in areas of concern in Greater Minnesota. 

MPCA is asking for input from the public and stakeholders to develop a plan for Phase II.  Schedule of events:

June 4, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Marshall Lyon County Library, 201 C Street Rochester

June 5, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Wood Lake Meeting Center, 210 Wood Lake Drive SE Bemidji

June 12, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., location TBD

June 13, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., MPCA Duluth Office, 525 Lake Avenue South, Suite 400 Minneapolis,

June 17, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Avenue North Burnsville

June 25, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Dakota County Burnhaven Library, 1101 W County Road 42

Timeline: MPCA will gather input throughout the summer and issue draft plan in the fall. A final plan will be submitted to the settlement trustee by the end of 2019.