Biden-Harris administration grants $125 million towards zero-emission solutions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a

Grants Program.

This is expected to incentivise and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of

older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions leading to

significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits.

These awards are in final work negotiations with the tentatively selected

applicants. The DERA programme prioritises projects in areas that face air

quality impacts, especially those projects that benefit disadvantaged

communities and other areas that face public health or environmental justice

risks or impacts.

In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA

projects to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors

including 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, and 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 finalised, 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.

　　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 reducing emissions after the project

  ends.

“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 programme will

upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward

a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”

“By promoting clean diesel technologies, these grants help to update fleets

with cleaner equipment and reduce harmful diesel exhaust,” said Acting EPA

Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle.

“Through these upgrades, communities will continue to see improved health

outcomes for their residents, ensuring all communities breathe cleaner air.”

Earlier this year, the Biden Administration announced that it would issue

an Executive Order to improve port cybersecurity in the US.