Request for Information  -  Transportation Programs

DOCKET 2: Transportation Programs [60101, 60102] 
EPA received $4 billion for two new programs to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. The first program is the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle program that will invest $1 billion to help cover the costs of replacing dirty heavy-duty vehicles with clean alternatives, deploy supporting infrastructure, and/or train and develop the necessary workforce. At least $400 million must go to nonattainment areas. The application is open to states, municipalities, Indian tribes, nonprofit school transportation associations, and eligible contractors.  

The second program will provide $3 billion in grants to reduce air pollution at ports with at least $750 million going to nonattainment areas. These funds can be used for a range of activities including purchasing and installing zero-emission port equipment and technology, covering the associated costs of planning and permitting, and developing qualified climate action plans  -  a detailed and strategic plan that establishes goals, implementation strategies, and accounting and inventory practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants at one or more ports. Eligible entities include: port authorities; any state, regional, local, or tribal agency with jurisdiction over a port authority; air pollution control agencies; and non-profits and private entities partnering with the above and own, operate, or use port facilities. 

Both of these are new programs that will be informed by comments received via this request for public comment in addition to other stakeholder engagement activities that the Agency will be conducting consistent with its Grant Competition policy.  

 
QUESTIONS:
 
Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles [60101] 
          How do you see this program working in conjunction with the existing Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Clean School Bus program, and programs at other agencies given the overlap in vehicles that could be funded? 
          For which significant Class 6/7 vehicle sectors should EPA prioritize funding? 
          How can EPA ensure the benefits of this program reach low-income and disadvantaged communities? 
          What should EPA consider in the design of the program to encourage grantees to support high quality jobs and adhere to best practices for labor standards, consistent with guidance such as Executive Order 14063 on the Use of Project Labor Agreements and the Department of Labor's Good Jobs Principles? 
          What metrics should this program use for measuring success and ensuring accountability? 
             
Grants to Reduce Air Pollution at Ports [60102] 
          How can EPA structure this program to reduce air pollution in port communities and accelerate long-term trends to decarbonize the nation's ports?   
          How do you see the IRA ports program complementing other programs (e.g., at EPA and the Department of Transportation) that can support efforts to reduce emissions at ports? What funding gaps can this program fill (e.g., specific zero emissions technologies or related planning support)?   
          The IRA ports program can fund the development of climate action plans as well as zero emissions port technology, equipment and related planning and permitting.  How would you like to see the action plans and infrastructure funding work together? Should they be sequenced or combined? 
          What types of zero-emission port technologies or related planning support do you see as most critical for delivering emissions reductions?  
          What do you see as the biggest hurdles to transitioning to zero-emission port equipment? 
          How can we help ensure this program addresses concerns of near-port communities and advances environmental justice?  
          What should EPA consider in the design of the program to encourage grantees to support high quality jobs and adhere to best practices for labor standards, consistent with guidance such as Executive Order 14063 on the Use of Project Labor Agreements and the Department of Labor's Good Jobs Principles? 
          What metrics should this program use for measuring success and ensuring accountability? 


      Responses must be received by 11:59 PM ET on January 18, 2023 :: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0874, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov.

Follow the instructions on the website for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from the docket. You do not need to address every question and should focus on those where you have relevant expertise or experience. Please identify the question(s) you are responding to by question number when submitting your comments. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. In all cases, to the extent possible, please cite any public data related to or that support your responses. If data are available, but non-public, describe such data to the extent permissible. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: IRAOARdocket@epa.gov

