(AGENPARL) – lun 21 ottobre 2024 Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $2.4 Million to the American Lung Association to Upgrade Older Diesel Engines to Cleaner and Zero-Emission Solutions  
“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.”
“DERA grants improve air quality for everyone, and especially for workers and other people who are directly exposed to harmful fumes from diesel vehicles. New, cleaner-burning vehicles will keep these benefits coming for years to come,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “I would like to thank the selected applicants for their commitment to reducing harmful emissions and contributing to cleaner, healthier air.”
With this funding, the American Lung Association will replace one diesel terminal tractor with one zero-emission terminal tractor; replace four diesel refuse haulers with four zero-emission electric refuse haulers; replace six diesel refuse haulers with six optional low nitrogen oxide compressed natural gas refuse haulers; and replace nine short-haul freight trucks with nine model year 2024 or newer clean diesel short-haul freight trucks.
Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. New diesel engines must meet tight standards, however, nearly eight million legacy diesel engines across transportation sectors remain in service and emit higher levels of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death.
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.
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