Americas News
EPA Offers $9M to Clean Up U.S. Diesel Engines
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it is offering $9 million to reduce emissions from diesel engines.
The grants are targeted at marine engines, as well as buses, trucks, and trains and could pay for improvements including exhaust control or idle reduction devices, or the replacement of engines.
The money, from the EPA's Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) will focus on engines operating in areas with poor air quality and on projects that are deemed most cost-effective.
The EPA notes that diesel engines, despite being highly efficient, emit nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and other pollutants that are linked to health problems.
The grants are expected to be awarded to between 10 and 20 applicants.
Since the start of the DERA program in 2008, it has provided more than 600 grants across the U.S., reducing NOx emissions by more than 250,000 tonnes and PM by more than 14,000 tonnes.
Projects funded by DERA in a 2012 grant round included upgrading pushboats and tugboats, repowering marine vessels, and improving ports.
