EPA is announcing $4 million in grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing emissions from marine and inland water ports, many of which are in the areas that face environmental justice challenges.

Most of the country’s busiest ports are located near large metropolitan areas and as a result people in nearby communities can be exposed to high levels of diesel emissions. Older diesel engines can emit large amounts of air pollutants, such as Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) and Particulate Matter (PM). Clean diesel projects at ports, employing readily available technology, will make immediate emissions reduction and provide health benefits. This grant competition is available under the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Program which focuses solely on reducing emission at ports. The objective of the assistance offered under this program is to achieve significant reductions in diesel emission in terms of tons of pollution reduced and reductions in diesel emissions exposure from fleets operating at ports.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/ports/ports-dera-rfp.htm