CAC Retrofit Assessment Voucher Program

Resource
Learn about free assistance for COBID certified and small firms with diesel engine retrofit assessment.

Installing and maintaining an engine retrofit to reduce diesel emissions can be one way to comply with Clean Air Construction requirements. A retrofit may be suitable for older pieces of equipment, typically with engines that were manufactured 10-15 years ago or more. For some equipment, a retrofit can be very effective at reducing diesel emissions from engine exhaust. 

Who can apply for a retrofit assessment voucher? 

COBID certified or small construction firms that currently perform work as a subcontractor or prime contractor with an agency in the Clean Air Construction Collaborative may apply.

A voucher provided by the Clean Air Construction Program covers the cost of the retrofit assessment. 

What does the retrofit assessment provide? 

An assessment is the first step to determine if engine retrofit is a suitable solution for a particular vehicle/piece of equipment. If retrofit is suitable, a diesel particulate filter or a diesel oxidation catalyst may be recommended and associated costs will be outlined. 

In some cases, the assessment may find that retrofit is not suitable. If this is the case, the Clean Air Construction program will help you identify other compliance pathways.

Who conducts the retrofit assessment? 

Engine retrofit specialists at Diesel Emissions Service (DES) provide this service in the voucher program. Diesel Emissions Service is a leader in the application of retrofit technologies, and has installed over 18,000 emission control devices since 2006. DES is authorized by manufacturers to do this work for all major makes/models of nonroad and on-road diesel vehicles/equipment


How do I request a retrofit assessment voucher? 

To request a voucher: 

  • In the email, please include: 
    • Name of business
    • The agency/agencies your business holds contracts with in the Clean Air Construction collaborative
    • Primary contact name, email and phone number 
    • If COBID certified, please include certification number and type
    • If not COBID certified, please list bonding capacity (for small businesses)
  • Include equipment/vehicle registration number (or Equipment ID in the absence of a registration number) from The Yard (Portland.gov/cac/TheYard) for each piece of equipment/vehicle requested. 

What happens after I make the request for a voucher? 

After eligibility is verified: 

  • The Clean Air Construction Program will provide a voucher code and contact information for the retrofit assessment specialists. 
  • Appointments for the assessment can then be scheduled directly with the retrofit assessment specialists (Diesel Emissions Service) at this point.  

What can I expect during the retrofit assessment?

Non-road vehicles:

The technician will document all the equipment information and decide if a retrofit can be safely mounted when the machine is in use. After reviewing the equipment, DES will decide if the equipment can use a Passive system, Active system or Diesel Oxidation Catalyst. If a passive system can be used, a data logger will be installed to monitor engine exhaust temperature. The data logger will be removed after the amount of required operating hours has been met. Results will be provided within a week.

On-road vehicles:

The vehicle will show up for its appointment and a technician will document all the vehicle information and decide where the retrofit can be mounted. A data logger will then be installed temporarily in the exhaust stream to record the engine exhaust temperature which will tell the duty cycle of the vehicle. After the vehicle has completed the time needed for this test, the truck will return to the location and have the data logger removed. Results will be provided within a week.

On trucks that cannot use a Passive system, the same process will happen but a data logger will not be installed.

What’s the next step after the retrofit assessment? 

First, a recommendation report for diesel emissions reduction technologies will be sent directly from the vendor to the contact email for each participating firm. 

Then, the Clean Air Construction coordinator will follow up with any additional information or resources about the report recommendations. There may be grants or other resources to help offset the cost of retrofits that the coordinator can provide information about.

Contact

Farrah Fatemi

Clean Air Construction Program Coordinator