Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants

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

The DERA National Grant Program provides funding to state, local and private partners to reduce the pollution emitted from diesel engines across the country through the implementation of cleaner engines, vehicles, equipment and retrofit technologies.

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.

Owners of eligible diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. Both public owned fleets and privately owned fleets may benefit.

Assistance agreements are available to support recipient's allowable costs incident to supporting projects to reduce emissions from diesel engines, plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Funds must be used for projects involving EPA-verified and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified diesel emissions reduction technologies and/or EPA or CARB certified engines. No funds provided under this section shall be used to fund the costs of emissions reductions that are mandated under Federal law. Voluntary or elective emission reduction measures shall not be considered "mandated", regardless of whether the reductions are included in the state implementation plan of a state. Additional project eligibility and use restrictions are defined in program guidance. Please refer to applicable program guidance for funding use restrictions. This program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. A discretionary award means an award in which the Federal awarding agency, in keeping with specific statutory authority that enables the agency to exercise judgement ("discretion"), selects the recipient and/or the amount of Federal funding awarded through a competitive process or based on merit of proposals. A discretionary award may be selected on a non-competitive basis, as appropriate. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office.

The assistance agreements funded under the DERA National Grant Program typically have a two-year project period with the possibility for extension up to a five-year project period.

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs" when proposed Federal financial assistance involves installation of devices that provide electric power to truckers to reduce idling. EPA financial assistance programs and activities subject to intergovernmental review that are subject to review under State single point of contact procedures are identified at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-financial-assistance-programs-subject-executive-order-12372-and-section-204. Applicants for programs or activities subject to Intergovernmental Review that are not subject to State single point of contact review must provide directly affected State, areawide, regional, and local entities at least 60 days to review their application following notification by the EPA that the application has been selected for funding as provided by 40 CFR 29.8(a) and (c).

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

For competitive awards, the EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with the EPA's policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.

For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Approximately 180 days after the deadline listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Extensions are subject to EPA approval.

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures. Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.