EPA Announces More Than $11 Million to Upgrade Older Diesel Engines in Illinois to Cleaner and Zero-Emission Solutions that are Better for Our Communities

EPA Announces More Than $11 Million to Upgrade Older Diesel Engines in Illinois to Cleaner and Zero-Emission Solutions that are Better for Our Communities

The selectees will reduce diesel emissions across a range of projects, including upgrades to freight, industrial and municipal equipment

October 17, 2024

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announcedmore than $11 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Programto the American Lung Association, the Chicago Department of Transportation and Environmental Initiative that will incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions -- leading to significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits. The DERA program prioritizes projects in areas that face air quality impacts, especially those projects that benefit disadvantaged communities and other areas that face particular public health or environmental justice risks or impacts.

"Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still over-burdened by pollution from older diesel equipment," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "With the latest round of funding, EPA's successful DERA program will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans."

The American Lung Association will receive $3,986,369 to replace 42 engines with two zero-emission refuse haulers, two clean diesel trucks, four zero-emission refuse haulers, five compressed natural gas refuse haulers, 11 compressed natural gas refuse haulers, one zero-emission terminal tractor, 16 clean diesel trucks, and one zero-emission terminal tractor.

The Chicago Department of Transportation will receive $3,825,000 to replace 10 diesel bucket trucks with 10 battery-electric bucket trucks.

In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projectsto reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors, including engine replacements and upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment. In addition to funding new, cleaner diesel technologies, more than half of these selections will support replacing older equipment and vehicles with zero-emission technologies, such as all-electric school buses, terminal tractors, drayage trucks and provide shore power to marine vessels. All selected projects will reduce diesel pollution and benefit local communities, including disadvantaged communities and other areas facing environmental justice concerns. A small number of awards are still under processing. Once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied and additional selections are finalized, the EPA will update the DERA National Awards webpage.

In selecting projects for award, priority was given to projects that:

• in areas designated as having poor air quality;
• reduce emissions from ports and other goods movement facilities;
• benefit local communities;
• incorporate local communities in project planning;
• demonstrate planning or action towards reducing vulnerabilities to climate impacts;
• illustrate preparation for workforce development; and
• demonstrate an ability to continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas particularly affected by health and environmental impacts from diesel fleets. EPA is committed to ensuring the DERA program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

Read more information on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.