DEQ Announces Availability of Clean Transportation Funding
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is announcing a new funding opportunity to help curb nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions with clean transportation. Details about the funding opportunity are available on DEQ’s website and draft applications are due by Dec. 5, 2025.
The Clean Truck, Bus & Airport Equipment Program matches funds to replace older diesel trucks, buses or airport ground support vehicles with battery electric, alternate fuel or newer diesel vehicles. Examples of vehicles eligible to receive funding through this opportunity include garbage trucks, school buses, street sweepers, bucket trucks, buses or vehicles that service aircraft between flights.
This funding opportunity is similar to one announced in 2021 and 2024 that successfully funded the first electric school buses and electric street sweepers in Montana. For school districts considering purchasing an electric school bus, the Montana Electric School Bus Technical Assistance Report provides information on actual fuel costs, maintenance issues and performance of electric buses operating in Montana.
Nationally, the transportation sector is the main source of NOx emissions, which result from burning diesel fuel. NOx is a poisonous gas that reacts with other pollutants in the atmosphere to contribute to smog and poor air quality. Reducing NOx emissions from transportation results in cleaner air and better health for all Montanans.
DEQ staff will be available to answer questions until Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. Draft applications must be received via e-mail by 5 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2025.
During the final solicitation beginning on Jan. 16, 2026, all applicants must register with the state’s online eMACS system to post questions, review responses and submit final applications. Potential applicants are encouraged to register the eMACS system in advance.
This opportunity is funded through the Environmental Mitigation Trust created in 2016 as part of the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Settlement. This trust fund is used for projects that reduce NOx emissions in the transportation sector.
The application for the Clean Truck, Bus & Airport Equipment Program, the Montana Electric School Bus Technical Assistance Report and other clean transportation information is available at https://deq.mt.gov/energy/Programs/fuels.
Tags: Energy and Press Release