PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 18, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced selections across the Mid-Atlantic totaling approximately $12.1 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Program which will incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. These upgrades will result in significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits.

“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 program will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”

“The Biden-Harris Administration is once again delivering on its commitments to ensure clear air for all, regardless of zip code or background,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “These investments will have positive impacts on the neighbors of today and tomorrow, and on communities well into the future.”

Mid-Atlantic Regional Selectees:

• Government of the District of Columbia - $3,467,780
  • Replace one fire truck with one Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV)
  • Replace one refuse truck with one ZEV
  • Replace five Transportation Refrigeration Units with Zero Emission Equipment
  • Replace four transit vehicles with ZEVs
• Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition - $689,772
  • Replace 16 municipal on-road and nonroad utility vehicles with 10 new vehicles equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction
• Maryland Environmental Service - $3,474,392
  • Replace 13 terminal tractors with eight zero-emission units and five tier 4 final engines
  • Replace 23 forklifts with zero-emission units
  • Replace three tire manipulation trucks, two diesel-powered mobile pumps, and one diesel-powered air compressor with tier 4 final engines
• James Madison University - $3,500,000
  • Replace 72 short haul combination diesel engines with renewable Compressed Natural Gas trucks
• Virginia Port Authority - $972,000
  • Replace four diesel utility tractor rigs with four new battery electric utility tractor rigs

In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projects totally $125 million to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors including the 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, 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 finalized, 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. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. New diesel engines must meet tight standards, however, nearly eight million legacy diesel engines across transportation sectors remain in service and emit higher levels of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death.

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 efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas particularly affected by health and environmental impacts from diesel fleets. EPA is committed to ensuring the DERA Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

Read more information on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.