EPA Selects Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for Nearly $400K to Upgrade Older Diesel Engines to Clean, Zero-Emission Solutions

Shannan Beisser

US Environmental Protection Agency, 7th District

LENEXA, KAN. – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $125 billion in awards under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) State Grant Program, including $395,450 to Nebraska.

This funding will encourage and accelerate the upgrading or retirement of old diesel engines to cleaner and smoke-free solutions, leading to significant reductions in emissions and air quality and public health benefits. These awards are in the final discussion of the work plan with the shortlisted applicants. The DERA program prioritizes projects in areas facing air quality impacts, particularly projects that benefit disadvantaged communities and other areas facing risks or impacts to public health or environmental justice.

“Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still burdened by pollution from old diesel fuel,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the latest funding, EPA’s successful DERA program will improve these sources of hazardous pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, fairer and better future for Americans.” all.”

In total, the EPA has designated nearly 70 national DERA projects to reduce diesel emissions in various transportation sectors including renewable engines and improvements to school buses, port facilities and construction equipment. .

In addition to funding new clean diesel technology, more than half of these votes will support the replacement of older vehicles and equipment with emission-free technology, such as electric school buses, tractor-trailers, cargo trucks and providing shore power to cruise ships.

1. The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy was selected to receive $395,450 to replace one Class 7 garbage truck with a compressed natural gas truck; and replacing two Class 6 school buses, six Class 7 school buses, and three Class 8 school buses with new diesel buses.

All projects selected will reduce diesel pollution and benefit local communities, including disadvantaged communities and other areas facing environmental justice challenges. A small number of awards are still being processed. Once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied and other options are completed, EPA will update the DERA National Awards web page.

Background Eligible jobs include restoration or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification of certified engines and certified replacement technology. income and reducing unemployment. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. New diesel engines must meet stricter standards, however, around 8 million diesel engines across the transport sector continue to operate and emit high levels of nitrogen oxides. risk and particulates than new diesel engines.

These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory diseases and premature death. In selecting projects for the awards, the following projects were prioritized:

1. They are in selected areas with little wind.
2. Reduce emissions from ports and other shipping facilities.
3. Help the local community.
4. Involve local communities in project planning.
5. Demonstrate planning or measures to reduce vulnerability to climate impacts.
6. Develop workforce development readiness.
7. Demonstrate the ability to continue emissions reduction efforts after the project ends.

DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas most affected by the health and environmental impacts of diesel fleets. The EPA is committed to ensuring that the DERA program implements the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to have 40% of the net benefits of certain government investments flow to marginalized poor communities. due to low investment and burdened by pollution. Read more about the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.