The federal budget package recently approved by the U.S. House and U.S. Senate includes a 50 percent increase in funding for a highly effective clean air program that reduces emissions from older diesel powered engines, vehicles and equipment, according to the a December 16, 2014 news release from Diesel Technology Forum. Funding for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) under the current funding package will increase from $20 million to $30 million if signed into law by President Obama.

“The Diesel Emission Reduction Act has been one of the most successful clean air programs in recent years,” said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum. “While there was significant debate over several other provisions in the legislation, the support for the DERA program was widespread and bipartisan.”

The DERA program helps the owners of older diesel powered vehicles and equipment with the purchase of new technology engines, approved emission controls or retrofit devices to reduce emissions, and total engine replacements.

DERA funding made available since 2008 has reduced emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), a smog forming compound, by 203,000 tons, emissions of particulate matter (PM) by 12,500 tons, and carbon emissions by 2.3 million tons, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Every one dollar in federal assistance under the DERA program has been coupled with another $3 in non-federal matching funds to generate significant air quality improvements,” Schaeffer said. “EPA estimates that for every $1 in DERA funding there is another $13 in environmental, health and economic benefits.

What this means to you
The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act has won a 50 percent budget increase to $30 million. DERA helps owners of older diesel equipment with the purchase of new engines, controls or retrofit devices to reduce emissions.

MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH to discuss emission compliance strategies for older diesel engines.