The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced more than $1.2 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Act funding for federally recognized Tribes in Alaska.
The funding is for a project aimed at reducing harmful emissions from stationary diesel generators, according to a June 23 EPA news release. The grant money headed to Alaska will fund a Native Village of Deering project in northwest Alaska, as well as other projects in the Tanana Chiefs Conference in Fairbanks and surrounding communities.
"The Biden administration continues to work with Tribal nations across the country to replace or upgrade older, higher polluting diesel engines, making important progress in reducing pollution and advancing environmental justice across the country," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the news release. "With an unprecedented $5 billion investment in low- and zero-emission school buses from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law coming soon for communities across the country, this is only the beginning."
The grant money was awarded to 12 Tribal and insular areas nationwide in the form of assistance agreements, all funded by EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction program. The program provides funding and rebates for health protection and air quality improvement projects that reduce harmful diesel engine emissions, particularly projects that clean up legacy fleet diesel engines, according to the release.
Funding for the projects is expected to replace non-tiered and low-tiered engines with more efficient, higher tiered engines, according to the news release. Tier 4 engines are generally considered the most efficient for off-road use while tier 3 engines are the most efficient for on-road use.
"EPA is proud to work with our Tribal partners to achieve cleaner air and improve people’s health in their communities," EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller said in the news release. "Diesel pollution can lead to high rates of asthma and other health conditions, and these projects will make a real difference in the air quality for tribal communities."
