Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants

Program objective

The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, 42 U.S.C. 16132 et seq., as amended, authorizes the EPA to award grants, rebates and loans to eligible entities to fund diesel emissions reductions. Emission reductions are achieved through the implementation of a certified engine configuration, verified retrofit technology, or emerging technology for buses (including school buses), medium heavy-duty or heavy heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, locomotives, or nonroad engines used in construction, handling of cargo (including at port or airport), agriculture, mining, or energy production. In addition, eligible entities may also use funds to reduce long-duration idling using verified idle-reduction technology with certain vehicles or equipment described above. The objective of this program is to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions and exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas. Funding Priorities: The National DERA program works to reduce the pollution emitted from diesel engines across the country through the implementation of various control strategies and involvement of national, state, local and private partners. Priority will be given to projects which achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions and exposure, particularly from fleets operating in poor air quality areas and/or service goods movement facilities.

As published in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing.

Eligible applicants (program level)

• ✓U.S. Territory (or Possession) Government (including freely-associated states)
• ✓State
• ✓Other Local Government Consortium, Regional Organization (Intrastate), or Other Local Government Combination
• ✓Local
• ✓U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)
• ✓Other
• ✓Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government
• ✓Nonprofit Organization
• ✓Interstate Organization

Eligible applicants are: A regional, state, local or Tribal agency or port authority with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality; and a nonprofit organization or institution that represents or provides pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets; or has, as its principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality are eligible for assistance under this program. City, county, or municipal agencies, school districts, and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) that have jurisdiction over transportation or air quality are all eligible entities under this program to the extent that they fall within the definition above. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Intended beneficiaries: Local, Other Local Government Consortium, Regional Organization (Intrastate), or Other Local Government Combination, U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia), U.S. Territory (or Possession) Government (including freely-associated states), Interstate Organization, Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government, Municipality or Township government (inclusive of cities, towns, boroughs (except in Alaska), and villages), Territorial and State.

Program-level eligibility from SAM.gov. Each funding notice sets its own requirements.

Frequently asked questions