Arkansas GoRed Grant Program

Rolling Deadlines  

• December 31, 2022: First application period closes; proposals and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 p.m., CST.
• January 31, 2023:  Second application period closes (if funding remains after first round); proposals and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 pm (CT).
• February 28, 2023:  Third application period closes (if funding remains after second round); proposals and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 pm (CT).
• March 31, 2023: Fourth application period closes (if funding remains after third round); proposals and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 pm (CT).

• September 30, 2023: Fifth application period closes; proposal and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 pm (CT).

• April 30, 2023: Fifth application period closes (if funding remains after fourth round); proposals and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 pm (CT).

• May 31, 2023: Sixth application period closes (if funding remains after fifth round); proposals and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 pm (CT).

• June 30, 2023:  Seventh application period closes (if funding remains after sixth round); proposals and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 pm (CT).

• August 31, 2023: Eighth application period closes (if funding remains after seventh round); proposals and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 pm (CT).

• September 30, 2023: Ninth application period closes (if funding remains after eighth round); proposals and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 pm (CT).

• October 31, 2023:  Final application period closes (if funding remains after ninth round); proposals and all documentation due to DEQ by 4:30 pm (CT). 

You must provide all of the required information and documentation specified in the online application form. DEQ will not evaluate incomplete applications. DEQ may contact you for clarification and/or supplemental information. Applicants have ten (10) calendar days to respond to any such request.  

Applications are subject to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. 

Funding

For this program year, the total available funding is $1.47 million.

Generally, awards under the Go RED! Program will be capped at $100,000 per applicant with certain exceptions for project that involve vehicle and equipment replacements with zero-tailpipe emission power sources; certain locomotives projects, and certain marine projects as described in Section VI of this Applicant Guide.

Funding Percentages, Cost Sharing, and Award Caps

• Drayage Truck Replacement:
  • Maximum Funding 50%
  • Minimum Mandatory Cost-Share: 50%
• Vehicle or Equipment Replacement with EPA-Certified Engine:
  • Maximum Funding: 25%
  • Minimum Mandatory Cost-Share: 75%
• Vehicle or Equipment Replacement with CARB-Certified Low NOx Engine:
  • Maximum Funding: 35%
  • Minimum Mandatory Cost-Share: 65%
• Vehicle or Equipment Replacement with Zero-Tailpipe Emission Power Source:
  • Maximum Funding: 45%
  • Minimum Mandatory Cost-Share: 55%

Funding Restrictions

1. Prohibition on the Use of Funds for Matching: No funds awarded under the Go RED! program shall be used to meet matching or cost-share requirements for federal grants or other DEQadministered funding assistance programs. Likewise, a recipient may not use federal funds or funds from other DEQ-administered funding assistance programs as matching or cost-share funds for the Go RED! Program.
2. Prohibition on the Use of Funds for Fueling Infrastructure, Production, or Distribution: No funds awarded under the Go RED! program shall be used for fueling infrastructure, such as that used for the production and/or distribution of biodiesel, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and/ or other fuels.
3. Prohibition on the Use of Funds for Required Emissions Reductions: No funds awarded under the Go RED! program shall be used to fund the costs of emission reductions that are mandated under federal law. See EPA’s 2022 DERA State Grants Program Guidance https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-04/420b22023.pdf for more information on mandated measures. 
4. Prohibition on Leasing: No funds awarded under the Go RED! program shall be used for leasing vehicles, engines, or equipment. If financing is necessary, the purchase must be financed with a conventional purchase loan
5. Prohibition on the Use of Funds for Fleet Expansion: Go RED! program funds cannot be used for the purchase of vehicles, engines, or equipment to expand a fleet. Engine, vehicle, and equipment replacement projects are eligible for funding on the condition that certain criteria is met.
6. Prohibition on the Replacement of Existing Technologies

A. Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: Any public, private, or nonprofit entity that meets the following criteria is eligible to apply for funding assistance under the Go RED! Program:

• The applicant is based in Arkansas has been in existence for at least three consecutive years;
• The applicant proposes an eligible project (see the “Eligible Equipment” and “Eligible Projects” sections); 
• The applicant owns the equipment involved in the proposed project; and
• The applicant could not complete the proposed project without the funding assistance provided by the Go RED! Program. 

Private and nonprofit entities may be required to prove their existence and the duration of their existence before funds are awarded.

Individuals are not eligible to receive funds unless they are applying on behalf of a public or private entity, which includes a nonprofit organization as described above. B. Eligible Diesel Vehicles, Engines, and Equipment Projects eligible for funding under the Go RED! Program may include diesel emissions reduction solutions from the heavy-duty diesel emission source types listed in Table 1. 

B. Eligible Diesel Vehicles, Engines, and Equipment 

Projects eligible for funding under the Go RED! Program may include diesel emissions reduction solutions from the heavy-duty diesel emission source types listed below:

• School Buses
• Transit Buses
• Medium - and Heavy-duty Trucks: Class 5, 6, 7, and 8 (anything over 16,001 lbs.)
• Marine Engines
• Locomotives

C. Eligible Project Types

1. Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Projects 
2. Engine Replacement
3. Certified Remanufacture Systems 
4. Verified Idle Reduction Technologies
5. Verified Retrofit Technologies 
6. Clean Alternative Fuel Conversions 
7. Verified Aerodynamic Technologies and Verified Low Rolling Resistance Tires

Vehicles/equipment being scrapped must. Prohibition on the Use of Funds for Fleet Expansion: Go RED! program funds cannot be used for the purchase of vehicles, engines, or equipment to expand a fleet. Engine, vehicle, and equipment replacement projects are eligible for funding on the condition that the following criteria are satisfied:

1. The replacement vehicle, engine, or equipment will continue to perform similar function and operation as the vehicle, engine, or equipment that is being replaced. 
2. The cost of optional components or “add-ons” that significantly increase the cost of the vehicle may not be eligible for funding under the grant; the replacement vehicle should resemble the replaced vehicle in form and function. 
3. The replacement vehicle, engine, or equipment will be of similar type and gross vehicle weight rating or horsepower as the vehicle, engine, or equipment being replaced.  
4. The vehicle, equipment, and/or engine being replaced must be scrapped or rendered permanently disabled within ninety (90) days of being replaced:
   
   1.  If a 2010 engine model year (EMY) or newer highway vehicle is replaced, the 2010 EMY or newer vehicle may be retained or sold if the 2010 EMY or newer vehicle will replace a pre-2009 EMY vehicle, and the pre-2009 EMY vehicle will be scrapped. It is preferred that the scrapped unit currently operates within the same project location(s) as the 2010 EMY or newer vehicle currently operates, however alternative scenarios will be considered. All existing and replacement vehicles are subject to the funding restrictions in this section of the program guide. All equipment must operate within the United States. Under this scenario, a detailed scrappage plan must be submitted and will require prior DEQ and EPA approval.  
   2. Cutting a three-inch by three-inch hole in the engine block (the part of the engine containing the cylinders) is the preferred scrapping method. Other acceptable scrappage methods may be considered and will require prior DEQ and EPA approval.
   3. Disabling the chassis may be completed by cutting through the frame/frame rails on each side at a point located between the front and rear axles. Other acceptable scrappage methods may be considered and will require prior written approval from the EPA project officer.  

Application Submittal

You must submit your application online. The online application form can be found at https://eportal.adeq.state.ar.us/?FormTag=GoRED_App.

Instructions

DEQ requires the project manager for selected projects to submit quarterly progress reports to DEQ between the time of MOA signature and completion of the project and to submit a detailed final report upon completion of the project. Report requirements will be specified in the MOA.