The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting applications for its Clean Diesel Grant Program. School districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, state agencies, nonprofit entities, and companies that operate diesel fleets are eligible to apply.

The clean diesel program’s goal is to improve air quality by decreasing emissions from diesel-powered vehicles. The program supports projects that re-power or retrofit fleet vehicles to curb emissions; purchase and install idle-reduction technology; or purchase clean alternative-fuel fleet vehicles.

Eligible vehicles include buses, medium- and heavy-duty trucks Class 5 to Class 8, and on-road and non-road equipment or engines used in construction, cargo handling, and energy production.

Since the program's inception in 2008, DEP has awarded more than $1.7 million in grants. The state is offering $106,022 in funding in the current cycle.

The grant program is funded through an annual allocation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's State Clean Diesel Program.

Applications will be accepted through March 31. To apply for a grant or for more information, visit www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword "Clean Diesel."