US EPA releases DERA Fifth Report to Congress

25 August 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Fifth Report To Congress [5620]. The report summarizes the program’s activities from fiscal years 2008-2018 appropriations.

“Reducing harmful diesel emissions results in cleaner air and healthier communities, and this bipartisan legislation is delivering these benefits to communities across the nation,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The results have been especially impactful for vulnerable communities and children, prioritizing diesel emissions reduction projects that provide health and environmental benefits to underserved and overburdened areas.”

Nearly eight million legacy diesel engines (MY 2009 and earlier) operate throughout the US transportation network, continuing to emit large amounts of pollution, the EPA said. The DERA program enables EPA to offer funding to accelerate the upgrade and turnover of legacy diesel fleets by providing rebates and grant funding to replace these vehicles and engines with equipment that meets or exceeds current emissions standards.

The EPA awarded the first DERA grants in 2008 and continues to award DERA grants and rebates each fiscal year. Between 2008 to 2018, a total of approximately $801 million in funding was appropriated to DERA to replace or retrofit more than 73,700 engines or vehicles.

Source: US EPA