EPA Announces $11 Million grants Funds for DERA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced awarding at least $11 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) grant funding to eligible applicants, to modernize the nation’s diesel fleet by retrofitting or replacing vehicles with cleaner, more efficient diesel engines.

EPA is soliciting proposals nationwide for projects that significantly reduce diesel emissions and exposure. The agency encourages applications from fleets in areas designated as having poor air quality. Priority will be given to projects that engage local communities and applicants that demonstrate their ability to continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

Eligible applicants include regional, state, local and tribal agencies, and port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Non-profit organizations may apply if they provide pollution reduction or educational services to diesel fleet owners, or if their principal purpose is promoting transportation or air quality. The application deadline is June 20, 2017.

EPA anticipates awarding between 20 and 80 assistance agreements under this competition. Applicants must request funding from their EPA regional office. The maximum grant funding for individual applications varies by region. EPA anticipates releasing a separate RFP for Tribal applicants during 2017.

Director of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Christopher Grundler said thatDERA is a bipartisan program to help fleet companies improve regional air quality, proving that good environmental policy can go hand in hand with good business.