Texas probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind when you think of progressive environmental policies, but the Lone Star state has been surprisingly active in alternative energy and other green-minded projects. After all, Texas is home to Willie Nelson and his biodiesel crusade, is the leading wind power state, and Austin has pilot programs for hybrid cars, and an aggressive climate protection plan that will cut its carbon dioxide emissions to almost nothing by 2020.

This week the Texas legislature added another green program to the mix that will make more than $100 million available to encourage owners of heavy-duty vehicles and equipment to upgrade to more energy-efficient machines.  Under the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP), the funds are available as grants to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, school districts and government agencies looking to replace equipment like delivery trucks and transit buses to cranes, forklifts and locomotives.
 
The North Texas Challenge emissions reduction incentive grants are meant to offset the costs associated with reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from high-emitting internal combustion engines. The grant amounts will vary, depending on the amount of NOx reductions each project can achieve. Hmmm, I wonder if I can get some of this cash to upgrade the gas-belching weed whacker out in my back shed.