Biden-Harris Administration announces $3.2 million to upgrade older diesel engines to cleaner solutions for Utah communities

Two Utah entities among 68 selectees to reduce diesel emissions across a range of projects, including upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment

October 17, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY (October 17, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two Utah selectees totaling $3.2 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Program. With nearly $125 million in awards announced nationwide, the DERA National Grants program 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. These awards are in final workplan negotiations with the tentatively selected applicants. 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. The Utah selectees are as follows: 

• North Tooele Fire Protection Service District has been selected to receive $219,828 to replace one structural firefighting engine/pumper with a new firefighting engine/pumper. 

• State Of Utah Dept of Environmental Quality has been selected to receive $3,000,000 to replace twenty-five Class 5-8 diesel vehicle replacements, including refuse trucks and school buses. 

“Utahns deserve to breathe clean air, but unfortunately many of our communities still endure the disproportionate impacts of pollution from diesel engines-- especially those close to busy highways and interstates,” said Regional Administrator KC Becker. “These grants will help accelerate the transition of diesel engines to cleaner alternatives and serve as another step towards a better future for all Utahns.” 

In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projects to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors including the 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. 

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. 

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.