• Greenhouse gases cause many environmental problems.smokestack at dawn image by Jennifer Stone from Fotolia.com
  
  Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an important step in combating global warming. However, the technologies and products used in reducing emissions can be expensive. The federal government and many government entities provide grants to help individuals and companies lower their emissions without having to spend a fortune while doing so. Many grants are offered annually on a competitive basis.
  
  

Environmental Protection Agency

• Diesel emissions are very harmful.diesel special image by longtall_chris from Fotolia.com
  
  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers several competitive grants for clean diesel and emissions reductions. The funds are allocated to each individual state; around $60 million is offered through the EPA each year. These grants can be used to install and utilize energy-efficient and emissions-reducing technologies, develop new technology, and cover loans and other financial assistance for producing emissions-reducing diesel trucks. Information on these grants is available at the National Clean Diesel Campaign website.
  
  

United States Department of Treasury

• Wind farms generate electricity using a renewable resource.wind farm image by Paul Marcus from Fotolia.com
  
  The U.S. Department of Treasury (DOT) offers a grant for renewable energy sources that reduce emissions. These energy sources can be wind, solar water or space heating, solar electric, landfill gas, biomass, microturbine and many other renewable sources of energy. The DOT offers a grant that covers $1,500 per kW of qualified fuel cells or $200 per kW of qualified microturbine cells, according to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE).
  
  To apply for this grant, request a DUNS number by calling 1-866-705-5711 and fill out the online application at the DSIRE website.
  
  

Rural Energy for America Program

• The REAP Grants focus on rural areas.rural landscape image by Tom Curtis from Fotolia.com
  
  The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers a grant for farmers, businesses or rural cooperatives that want to use renewable energy sources to reduce emissions. According to DSIRE, REAP Grants can be applied to technologies generating energy from solar power, hydroelectric energy, wind energy, geothermal heat pumps and many other types of renewable energy. The REAP Grant is worth up to 25 percent of the cost of building and installing the technology.
  
  To apply for this grant, contact your State Rural Development Department.