EPA releases third DERA report to Congress

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its third Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) report to Congress, which shows that the program has helped clean up approximately 335,200 tons of nitrogen oxides and 14,700 tons of fine particles.

“By cleaning up older diesel engines that generate air pollution, the EPA is protecting people’s health and making a visible difference in communities throughout New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” EPA Regional Administrator, Judith A. Enck said. “Federal funding to reduce diesel pollution has been helpful in reducing local air pollution that can lead to asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments and heart disease.”

DERA started in 2008 to encourage the replacement and repowering of the nation’s “legacy fleet,” or vehicles powered by diesel engines built before 2008, which produce a significantly higher amount of air pollution. The third DERA report to Congress covers fiscal years 2009 to 2011 and estimates the impacts of grants awarded in fiscal years 2011-13.

According to the EPA, DERA funding has prevented the CO2 emissions equivalent to the annual use of more than 900,000 cars through its retrofitting and replacement funding, which has covered approximately 73,000 vehicles and engines.