The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced nearly $125 million in selections under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Program. The funding aims to upgrade or retire older diesel engines, transitioning them to cleaner and zero-emission solutions. This initiative is expected to lead to significant reductions in emissions, improving air quality and public health.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the importance of clean air for all communities, stating, "Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still over-burdened by pollution from older diesel equipment." He added that the DERA program would accelerate progress toward a healthier future.
Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Tom Carper highlighted the impact of the DERA program over the past two decades: "This $125 million award will help the nation transition to a cleaner economy while also protecting vulnerable communities."
Approximately 70 national projects have been tentatively selected by EPA to reduce diesel emissions across various transportation sectors. These include engine replacements and upgrades for school buses, port equipment, and construction machinery. More than half of these projects will support replacing older vehicles with zero-emission technologies like all-electric school buses and drayage trucks.
Eligible activities for this funding involve retrofitting or replacing existing diesel engines with certified configurations and verified technologies. The EPA prioritizes projects in areas with poor air quality, those that benefit local communities, and those demonstrating efforts towards climate impact reduction.
The DERA program aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of federal investment benefits to flow to disadvantaged communities affected by pollution.
Further details on project selections will be available once legal requirements are finalized.
