A bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act to remove older, non-emissions equipped diesels from the road has been introduced in the House. So, we dig into what the act is and does.
What is the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act?
According to EPA.gov, “the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program funds grants and rebates that protect human health and improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines.”
DERA is aimed at reduced diesel emissions by focusing on all categories of off-road engines and equipment like marine work boats, railroad locomotives, material handling equipment and heavy-duty commercial trucks.
These older, pre-emissions equipped engines are replaced with newer emissions-controlled engines that reduce overall pollution.
Since, 2010, the program has reduced 16,800 tons of emissions of particulate matter (PM) and 491,000 tons of oxides of nitrogen (NOX).
The novel program achieves these benefits by requiring significant non-federal matching funds for projects seeking federal funding. The EPA estimates every $1 in federal assistance is met with another $3 in non-federal matching funds, including significant investments from the private sector, and generates $5 to $21 in economic and health benefits.
“The DERA grant program is highly competitive and technology neutral,” said Executive Director Allen Shaeffer, Engine Technology Forum in a prepared statement. “According to the EPA, since DERA was last reauthorized in 2020, approximately 64% of awarded grants have partially or entirely funded diesel vehicle and/or engine replacements while 12% of awarded grants have partially or entirely funded electric vehicle projects. The remaining 24% of awarded grants entirely funded alternative fuel vehicle and/or engine replacements.”
Every state has had a benefit from DERA with 30% of the funding going to support individual state programs. This translates into approximately $8 billion in monetized health benefits and a return of over $10 in benefits for every $1 of investment gained from the $629 million in DERA funding awards between FY 2008 and FY 2018.
This program is “considering one of the Federal Government’s most successful, cost effective and bipartisan programs benefiting every state and thousands of small businesses,” said Shaeffer.
The EPA said in its report to Congress, it has funded a vast array of projects, including upgrades in the school bus sector (43%), freight/trucking (36%), construction (7%), Port (5%), Municipal (3%) as well as Agriculture, airport, and transit sectors.
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Reps. Ken Calvert (R-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Nick Langworthy (R-NY) introduced the legislation that reauthorizes the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.
Our take
Pollution from diesels has been a priority from the EPA for the past 15 years and DERA is a smart way to do it through Federal grants with a large private sector contribution. So, what does this mean for the someone who owns a full-size or heavy-duty diesel truck? Nothing. It applies specifically to commercial diesels.
