TCEQ ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF CLEAN AIR GRANTS

Thursday, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) announced that applications are being accepted for Texas Emissions Reduction Incentive grants, which are intended to help reduce emissions by replacing older vehicles and equipment. The grants, offered under the agency’s Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP), provide incentives to eligible individuals, businesses, and governments in the following areas: Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, Dallas-Fort Worth, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Tyler-Longview, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Victoria. A total of $40 million in funding is being made available to purchase, lease, replace, repower, or retrofit heavy-duty on-road vehicles, non-road equipment, marine vessels, locomotives, and stationary equipment. Funding is also available for on-site and on-vehicle infrastructure to reduce idling. Funded projects must result in a reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by at least 25 percent. The TERP program has awarded contracts totaling almost $858 million, which will reduce more than 164,000 tons of ozone-forming NOx in Texas. Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. For up-to-date information on application workshops and assistance events, TERP program information, eligibility requirements, and copies of the application forms, go to www.terpgrants.org or call 800.919.8377.