One of the nation’s most proven, cost-effective and successful clean air programs – the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act – is proposed for zero funding in the Obama Administration’s new 2015 budget proposal, according to a 5 March 2014 news release from Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

“Zeroing out the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) seems counterintuitive and at odds with the EPA’s transportation and clean air priorities for 2014,” Schaeffer said. “EPA has indicated one of their priorities this year is addressing problems around ports and surrounding communities, and we know that a number of DERA grant awards for port-related programs are scheduled for later this spring at the EPA Ports Summit in Baltimore. “DERA’s effectiveness has never been questioned. DERA has been a true environmental success story. We are hopeful that the bipartisan support DERA has received in both the U.S. Senate and House will initiate action in Congress to save the program,” Schaeffer said.

“In the last budget cycle, Congress rebuffed the Administration and restored $13 million for the FY 2014 DERA program, and a broad coalition of environmental, public health and industry groups is already on record and working with Congress on this FY 2015 budget.”

The Administration’s 2015 budget proposal would reduce DERA funding from the $13 million contained in the Continuing Resolution in FY 2014 to zero in 2015. The landmark DERA grant program was originally authorized as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to fund upgrades and modernize the oldest, higher-emitting diesel engines, complementing the stringent emissions standards EPA set for new diesel engines beginning in 2007. The program has evolved to also include deployment of many fuel-saving technologies as well.

What this means to you
Unless Congress achieves bi-partisan agreement in support of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, funding for DERA beyond 2014 is in jeopardy.

MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH to learn more about diesel emission reduction technologies.