Biden-Harris administration grants $125 million towards zero-emission solutions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a grant of $125 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Program.

This is expected to incentivise and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions leading to significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits.

These awards are in final work negotiations with the tentatively selected applicants. The DERA programme prioritises projects in areas that face air quality impacts, especially those projects that benefit disadvantaged communities and other areas that face public health or environmental justice risks or impacts.

In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projects to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors including engine replacements and upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment.

In addition to funding new cleaner diesel technologies, more than half of these selections will support replacing older equipment and vehicles with zero-emission technologies, such as all-electric school buses, terminal tractors, and drayage trucks and provide shore power to marine vessels.

All selected projects will reduce diesel pollution and benefit local communities, including disadvantaged communities and other areas facing environmental justice concerns. A small number of awards are still under processing. Once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied and additional selections are finalised, the EPA will update the DERA National Awards webpage.

Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies.

　　In selecting projects for award, priority was given to projects that:

• 　　in areas designated as having poor air quality;

• 　　reduce emissions from ports and other goods movement facilities;

• 　　benefit local communities;

• 　　incorporate local communities in project planning;

• 　　demonstrate planning or action towards reducing vulnerabilities to climate impacts;

• 　　illustrate preparation for workforce development; and

• 　　demonstrate an ability to continue reducing emissions after the project ends.

  
  

“Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still over-burdened by pollution from older diesel equipment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

“With the latest round of funding, EPA’s successful DERA programme will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”

“By promoting clean diesel technologies, these grants help to update fleets with cleaner equipment and reduce harmful diesel exhaust,” said Acting EPA Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle.

“Through these upgrades, communities will continue to see improved health outcomes for their residents, ensuring all communities breathe cleaner air.”

Earlier this year, the Biden Administration announced that it would issue an Executive Order to improve port cybersecurity in the US.