Members of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) who reside in specific states may apply for an auxiliary power unit grant starting Sept. 7.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given a $1 million grant to the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association to help install approximately 300 emission-cutting auxiliary power units in trucks that operate in EPA regions 6 and 7.

Region 6 covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and 66 tribal nations. Region 7 includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and nine tribal nations.

OOIDA will be able to offer members a 40 percent reimbursement for the cost of the APU and installation. This grant is only for OOIDA members who reside in the regions.

OOIDA is among five organizations included in a total grant of more than $5.1 million in Diesel Emissions Reduction Act funds (DERA).

Through DERA, EPA provides support for retrofits, engine upgrades, vehicle replacements, idle reduction, cleaner fuels and financing for clean technologies for trucks, buses, and non-road equipment. Overall, the improvements funded by these grants consist of EPA-verified and certified technologies to assist in the reduction of diesel emissions.