AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is offering $5.7 million in grants to replace diesel vehicles with ones that use hybrid or alternative energy technology.
The grants are available under the Texas Clean Fleet Program and can be applied to vehicles using electricity, natural gas, propane, hydrogen or methanol. Organizations that have at least 75 on-road vehicles and intend to replace at least 20 diesel vehicles can apply for the grants.
Texas lawmakers have tried to encourage companies with large fleets of big diesel vehicles to switch to cleaner fuels. They have also passed laws encouraging natural gas fueling stations around the Dallas-Houston-San Antonio triangle.
Many Texas cities are close to violating federal clean air standards. Replacing older trucks and buses could help avert triggering strict federal rules.
