ACOG CLEAN AIR Grants for Public Sector Fleets

The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments issues, at minimum, an annual Request for Proposals under its "Creating Long-term Energy Alternatives Now by Advancing Improvements Regionally" (CLEAN AIR) Grants program for alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle projects in the Oklahoma City Area Regional Transportation Study (OCARTS) area. Eligible applicants are restricted to OCARTS member fleets and to public school bus fleets whose district boundaries are contained partially or wholly within the OCARTS area.

Projects are funded with Federal Highway Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds, must provide a reduction in vehicle/mobile equipment emissions, and cannot increase the number of vehicles or rolling stock in applicant fleets.

Other eligible projects may include alternative fuel vehicle refueling and recharging infrastructure, and certain off-road vehicle/mobile equipment projects that reduce emissions compared to conventional fuel counterparts.

Member entity public transit fleets and/or their contractors are eligible to receive funds, but only for non-transit vehicles and/or for alternative fuel vehicle refueling or recharging infrastructure.

A project involving a private sector entity contracted for services such as refuse hauling or school transportation to eligible OCARTS-area public sector entities can also be considered for funding. A private sector entity or a non-profit agency project can be funded only if it establishes a partnership with a public agency. A written agreement must be in place between the public agency and the private entity. It remains the responsibility of the public agency to apply for funding and to oversee and protect the investment of CMAQ funds in the public-private partnership (PPP).