EPA grants aim to reduce emissions

Grants prioritized for diesel engine fleets in areas facing air quality challenges.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the availability of grant funding to modernize local diesel fleets by retrofitting or replacing vehicles with cleaner, more efficient diesel engines. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $40 million nationwide in Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) grant funding to eligible applicants, subject to the availability of funds.

“These grants will incentivize improvements to aging diesel fleets and improve air quality throughout the country,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “EPA will continue to target funds to areas facing significant air quality issues.”

Diesel-powered engines move approximately 90 percent of the nation’s freight tonnage, and today nearly all highway freight trucks, locomotives, and commercial marine vessels are powered by diesel engines.

EPA is soliciting proposals in the Pacific Northwest region and nationwide for projects that significantly reduce diesel emissions and exposure, especially from fleets operating at goods movements facilities in areas designated as having poor air quality. Priority for funding will be given to projects that engage and benefit local communities and applicants that demonstrate their ability to promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

Applicants in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington must request funding from the EPA Pacific Northwest Region 10 office. Region 10 will accept proposals requesting up to $900,000 in grant funds. EPA anticipates awarding between 20 and 80 assistance agreements nationwide.

Eligible applicants include regional, state, local or tribal agencies, or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Nonprofit organizations may apply if they provide pollution reduction or educational services to diesel fleet owners or have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality. Applicants may apply until Tuesday, June 5, 2018.

Since the first year of the DERA program in 2008, EPA has awarded funds to over 730 projects across the U.S. Many of these grants funded cleaner diesel engines that operate in economically disadvantaged communities whose residents suffer from higher-than-average instances of asthma, heart and lung disease. EPA expects to release a separate Request for Proposals for Tribal applicants later this year.

More information on the Request for Proposals: www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-national-grants.