News Releases from Region 09

EPA announces availability of $1 million for tribes to upgrade diesel engines

EPA seeks to reduce emissions from older engines impacting air quality in tribal communities

San Francisco - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of $1 million in grant funding for tribal applicants to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing air pollutants from diesel exhaust such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM), which are linked to respiratory problems. Under this grant competition, EPA anticipates awarding approximately up to five tribal assistance agreements between $30,000 and $800,000 each. Projects may include school buses, transit buses, heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, locomotives, energy production generators and other diesel engines. Proposals from tribal applicants must be received by July 15, 2015. To submit a grant proposal, visit: http://epa.gov/cleandiesel/prgtribal.htm

Last year, EPA offered the first tribes-only competition for clean diesel funding and awarded more than $925,000 to three tribes in Washington State to help replace older marine engines with newer, cleaner and more efficient ones. This competition is part of the Diesel Emission Reduction (DERA) Program, which funds projects to retrofit or replace older diesel engines. Diesel engines are extremely efficient but emit air pollutants that are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma and other respiratory ailments, lung and heart disease, and even premature death. The DERA program aims to achieve significant reductions in tons of diesel emissions produced and to reduce diesel emissions exposure, particularly for those living and working in areas disproportionately affected by poor air quality. For more on the National Clean Diesel campaign, visit www.epa.gov/cleandiesel