Sacramento, California - The California Energy Commission released a $4 million grant funding solicitation July 11 for the research and development of natural gas engines for medium and heavy-duty off-road vehicles (ORVs) supporting the agricultural, construction, industrial, port and cargo sectors.

The solicitation aims to greatly reduce transportation emissions in California’s most severely polluted regions – the San Joaquin Valley and the South Coast Air Basin – and encourages demonstrations in those areas. It covers ORVs commonly employed for heavy hauling such as those used for waste transport, mining and semi-tractor trailer applications. It also covers items like yard tractors and cranes found at ports and cargo handling areas.

The Energy Commission has a history of supporting the research and development of advanced natural gas engine technologies, focusing primarily on on-road, heavy-duty vehicles, which are the largest source of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in the San Joaquin Valley and the South Coast Air Basins. The solicitation continues that effort by targeting ORVs, the second largest source of these emissions.

Pre-application workshops that provide an overview of the funding opportunity and allow attendees to ask questions and network with other interested applicants are Tuesday, July 26 in Diamond Bar and Friday, July 29, in Modesto. Solicitation details are available on the Energy Commission’s website.

The Energy Commission is committed to increasing diversity in the energy sector and encourages women, minority, disabled veteran and LGBT businesses to engage in and benefit from its many programs.