Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants

The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, 42 U.S.C. 16132 et seq., as amended, authorizes the EPA to award grants, rebates and loans to eligible entities to fund diesel emissions reductions. Emission reductions are achieved through the implementation of a certified engine configuration, verified retrofit technology, or emerging technology for buses (including school buses), medium heavy-duty or heavy heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, locomotives, or nonroad engines used in construction, handling of cargo (including at port or airport), agriculture, mining, or energy production. In addition, eligible entities may also use funds to reduce long-duration idling using verified idle-reduction technology with certain vehicles or equipment described above. The objective of this program is to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions and exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas. Funding Priorities: The National DERA program works to reduce the pollution emitted from diesel engines across the country through the implementation of various control strategies and involvement of national, state, local and private partners. Priority will be given to projects which achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions and exposure, particularly from fleets operating in poor air quality areas and/or service goods movement facilities.

Eligible applicants are: A regional, state, local or Tribal agency or port authority with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality; and a nonprofit organization or institution that represents or provides pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets; or has, as its principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality are eligible for assistance under this program. City, county, or municipal agencies, school districts, and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) that have jurisdiction over transportation or air quality are all eligible entities under this program to the extent that they fall within the definition above. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.
For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Owners of eligible diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. Both public owned fleets and privately owned fleets may benefit.

For competitive awards, the EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with the EPA’s policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.

Approximately 180 days after the deadline listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).