The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) recently received $513,234 in grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program for projects that reduce diesel emissions from older fleets and vehicles.
Nevada’s award was among more than $14 million in grants awarded nationally by DERA to reduce carbon emissions and help meet the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, an EPA press release said.
“The DERA grant program helps states like Nevada target funds towards projects that align with local priorities,” Martha Guzman, regional administrator for EPA’s Pacific Southwest said in the release. “We are excited that Nevada will use this funding to replace four older diesel school buses with battery-electric buses. This project will reduce diesel pollution and benefit communities throughout the state. Reducing diesel use is a central strategy to environmental justice.”
Nevada’s project will be implemented through a partnership between NDEP, Carson City School District and participating fleets, the release said. “The funds will be combined with $342,156 in matching funds from NDEP’S Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust allocation, and $981,932 in leveraged funds from participating partners.”
Priority for funding was given to projects in areas designated as having poor air quality, the release said. Projects that reduced emissions from ports and other facilities, benefitted local communities, incorporated their communities in the planning process and demonstrated an ability to continue efforts after the project ended were also prioritized.
The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allows the EPA to make “significant investments in the health, equity, and resilience of American communities,” the release said. Between fiscal years 2022 and 2026, the EPA will provide a total of $5 billion for “the replacement of dirtier school buses with low- or no-carbon school buses.” The funds will be provided in $1 billion increments annually, with $500 million provided for electric school buses and the remaining $500 million for clean fuel alternative school buses and electric public transportation.
