Illinois EPA Seeks Fleet Projects for 2026 Diesel Emissions Grant Application

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is inviting Illinois fleet operators to submit diesel vehicle and equipment replacement projects for possible inclusion in the state’s application to the 2026 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Program. The opportunity is structured as a state-level Call for Partners: Illinois EPA is seeking candidate projects to consider for its application, rather than issuing a federal grant or promising funding to participants. That distinction matters for prospective applicants and service providers because selection for the state’s application would not guarantee a subsequent federal award.

The call focuses on replacement projects involving diesel vehicles and equipment. Fleet operators are expected to provide project details on eligible replacement equipment, anticipated emissions reductions, costs, available nonfederal cost share, and implementation feasibility. These elements will help Illinois EPA assess whether candidate projects are sufficiently developed and supportable for inclusion in a competitive federal application. For contractors, equipment suppliers, and other project partners, the request creates an opportunity to engage fleet owners early, help define replacement options, and assemble the cost and performance information needed for a project proposal.

Submissions are limited to two pages and must be received by December 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Questions and proposals should be sent to EPA.DERAgrants@Illinois.gov. The stated deadline is 23 days after the November 11, 2026 publication date, leaving a short period for operators and potential partners to identify candidate equipment, develop estimates, and document implementation plans. A concise submission will need to communicate the project scope and its expected results within the page limit, while addressing the information Illinois EPA has identified as relevant to its review.

The federal program’s individual awards may be as large as $12 million, but that figure is not an award amount promised to Illinois or to any fleet operator under this state-level solicitation. The practical procurement implication is a near-term market-development opportunity around diesel fleet replacement, supported by a possible federal funding pathway. Companies that can provide eligible equipment, fleet assessments, emissions-reduction estimates, project costing, or implementation support may be able to help prospective applicants shape viable candidate projects. They should distinguish clearly between assisting with Illinois EPA’s Call for Partners and securing federal funding: inclusion in the state’s application is only a potential step toward an award, not a guarantee of one.

• Illinois EPA is soliciting candidate diesel vehicle and equipment replacement projects from Illinois fleet operators for possible inclusion in the state’s 2026 DERA application.
• The solicitation is a state-level Call for Partners, not a federal award announcement or a guarantee of funding.
• Proposals are limited to two pages and are due December 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
• Submit proposals and questions to EPA.DERAgrants@Illinois.gov.
• Candidate project descriptions should address eligible replacement equipment, expected emissions reductions, costs, nonfederal cost-share availability, and implementation feasibility.
• Individual federal awards under the DERA National Program may be up to $12 million; the source does not state that this amount is allocated to Illinois or any particular applicant.
• Fleet operators should promptly coordinate with equipment providers and other project partners to develop credible cost estimates, emissions-reduction projections, and implementation plans.
• Contractors and suppliers can use the call to identify prospective fleet replacement projects and offer proposal-development support, while avoiding claims that state selection ensures a federal award.