The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $50 million for clean diesel projects as part of its ongoing campaign to reduce emissions in the air and better protect people’s health. These efforts will replace, retrofit or repower more than 8,000 older trucks, school buses, locomotives, vessels and other diesel-powered machines.
EPA says reducing emissions from existing diesels provides cost-effective public health and environmental benefits while supporting green jobs at manufacturers, dealerships and businesses across the country. Clean diesel projects funded through these grants will work to address the more than 11 million older diesel engines that continue to emit higher levels of pollution.
From 2008 to 2010, EPA has awarded nearly $470 million to more than 350 grantees across the nation under the diesel emissions reduction program (DERA). The grant-supported clean diesel projects have cleaned or replaced more than 50,000 vehicles and equipment nationwide.
Grants under DERA, in addition to the clean diesel program grants, include National Funding Assistance Program grants, emerging technologies grants, SmartWay finance program grants and direct state allocations. Every state will receive funding for clean diesel projects through direct state allocations.
Additionally, EPA plans to award more than 50 grants across the nation. EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign works cooperatively with state and local air agencies, tribes, communities, environmental groups and the diesel industry. More information on the campaign, including a list of grantees, is available at www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.
