Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2019
Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, this bill, H.R. 1768, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2019, is a bipartisan bill. It was introduced by my Energy and Commerce colleagues, Ms. Matsui, who just spoke, and Mr. Long, along with Mr. Lowenthal and Mr. Wittman.
The bill simply, but importantly, reauthorizes the DERA program through 2024.
This program was established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. It is a voluntary program, administered by the EPA, that helps fund the retrofit or replacement of existing heavy-duty diesel vehicles, engines, and equipment with cleaner diesel or new technology.
According to EPA's data, nearly 10 million older diesel vehicles are operating throughout our transportation infrastructure with no modern emission controls. The DERA funding and rebates help replace these vehicles with equipment that meets or surpasses current emissions standards.
The majority of program spending targets areas that are not meeting air quality standards for particulate matter and other pollutants, including at ports and freight-distribution centers and in numerous communities reliant on legacy diesel engines, such as school buses and other vehicles.
The Federal and State grants and other assistance under this program resulted in cleaner, more efficient vehicles, and the net effect is cleaner air in cities and communities that, in fact, need it the most.
As EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler notes, this is an effective and innovative program to improve air quality across the country. In fact, DERA funding has proven a cost-effective tool to help communities meet their air quality implementation plans.
Congress has long supported this program, which it first reauthorized in 2010 with strong bipartisan support and even after that authorization expired in 2016. This bill will ensure the good work to advance cleaner technology will, in fact, continue.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to make the point that this is an authorization that the level of spending will actually be determined by the Appropriations Committee, not ours.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a news release from the EPA making the point from Administrator Wheeler:
``As this report details, the DERA program is an effective and innovative way to improve air quality across the country while providing children with safer, more reliable transportation to and from school,'' said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.
Nearly 10 million older diesel engines are operating throughout our transportation system.
DERA has led to cleaner air across the U.S. by reducing emissions:
472,700 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides.
15,490 tons of particulate matter.
17,700 tons of hydrocarbon.
5,089,170 tons of carbon dioxide. [From EPA, 7/25/2019] News Releases from Headquarters, Air and Radiation (OAR) EPA Report: Clean Diesel Grants Rack up Major Air, Health Benefits (By EPA Press Office)
Washington (July 25, 2019)--Grants to clean up or replace older diesel engines under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) have delivered significant health and environmental benefits to communities across America, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report released today. DERA, a bipartisan effort authorized by Congress, provides cost-effective reductions of harmful diesel pollution across the U.S. and particularly in areas where air quality is a concern.
``As this report details, the DERA program is an effective and innovative way to improve air quality across the country while providing children with safer, more reliable transportation to and from school,'' said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. ``Children's health is a top priority for EPA, and DERA helps fulfill our children's health agenda and commitment to ensure all children can live, learn, and play in healthy and clean environments.''
Nearly 10 million older diesel engines are operating throughout our transportation infrastructure with no modern emissions controls. While some of these will be retired over time, many will remain in use, polluting America's air for the next 20 years. The DERA program provides rebates and grant funding to replace these vehicles and engines with equipment that meets or exceeds current emissions standards.
DERA has led to cleaner air across the U.S. by reducing emissions:
472,700 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides.
15,490 tons of particulate matter (PM).
17,700 tons of hydrocarbon.
5,089,170 tons of carbon dioxide.
Since 2008, DERA has awarded $629 million in funding to replace or retrofit 67,300 legacy diesel engines. EPA estimates that reducing these harmful pollutants will lead to $19 billion in health benefits and 2,300 fewer premature deaths. EPA estimates that for every federal dollar spent, DERA projects generate between $11 and $30 in public health benefits and over $2 in fuel savings.
The DERA program works to reduce exposure and provide improved air quality in communities where air pollution is of concern, including those near ports, rail yards, and PM and ozone non-attainment areas. Sixty-four percent of projects awarded in fiscal year 2008-2016 were in areas with these air quality concerns.
The Fourth Report to Congress summarizes the program's accomplishments from fiscal year 2008-2013 and discusses final and estimated results from funding in fiscal year 2014- 2016.
For more information on DERA, visit: http://www.epa.gov/ cleandiesel.
To access the report, visit https://www.epa.gov/ cleandiesel/clean-diesel-reports-congress.
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Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, this is a program that works. It takes those older vehicles off the road. As far as I know, industry supports this. It is better for our communities, which is why our committee, under both Republican and Democratic chairmen and administrations, has supported this, letting the appropriators decide the level of funding that it actually prescribes.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, again on a bipartisan basis, to support this, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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