Washington, DC, Sept. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Engine Technology Forum (ETF) today praised the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s passage of H.R. 2140, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of 2025.
In a unanimous vote, the House Energy and Commerce Committee took the next step toward reauthorizing H.R. 2140 by adopting legislation to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and reauthorize the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.
“We recognize and thank Representatives Matsui (D-CA) and Langworthy (R-NY) for their leadership in sponsoring the legislation, and all the House Energy and Commerce Committee members who supported it,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of ETF.
“DERA has been a bipartisan success story from the very beginning because of its structure and competitive process, successful implementation, ongoing need, and continued funding support. As outlined in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Sixth Report to Congress, it’s a program that has upgraded a wide range of technologies across the country, from marine and locomotive engines, port drayage trucks, and school buses to fire trucks and industrial stationary generators in Tribal communities.”
DERA provides funding assistance to accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines, prioritizing projects that reduce emissions in nonattainment or maintenance areas for particulate matter (PM) and ozone. DERA competitive grant applications are evaluated based on how projects benefit areas with poor air quality and the extent to which they engage community stakeholders. The DERA program also prioritizes goods movement projects because these projects tend to take place in communities impacted by higher levels of diesel exhaust, such as those near ports, rail yards, and distribution centers.
Since the inception of DERA, funding requests have exceeded available funding in each fiscal year (FY). In FYs 2019 and 2020 alone, grant and rebate applicants requested $220 million more in funds than were available from DERA appropriations. This legislation – H.R. 2140 – reauthorizes the DERA program through 2029.
The DERA program promotes an array of diesel emissions reduction strategies by working with manufacturers, fleet operators, air quality professionals, environmental and community organizations, and Tribal, state, and local officials. Together, EPA and others work to achieve emissions reductions in areas experiencing diminished air quality from diesel fleets. DERA has separate national and state award programs.
According to the EPA, more than 76,900 engines in vehicles, vessels, locomotives, and other pieces of equipment were replaced or retrofitted with DERA funds during FYs 2008 to 2020. DERA projects during these years are estimated to have reduced approximately 499,000 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 16,600 tons of PM over the lifetime of the replaced engines. These diesel emissions reduction projects are also estimated to have reduced approximately 19,400 tons of hydrocarbons (HC) and 66,600 tons of carbon monoxide (CO) and are expected to save over 572 million gallons of diesel fuel over the lifetime of the affected engines.
Approximately 58% of projects included school bus replacements. Additionally, there were more than 240 port and multi-sector projects, more than 90 municipal projects, and more than 90 construction projects. About 95% were diesel engines and vehicles. About 5% were natural gas, propane, gasoline, zero-emission, or hybrid engines and vehicles.
“We look forward to the consideration of H.R. 2140 by the full House of Representatives,” noted Schaeffer.
About the Engine Technology Forum
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Allen Schaeffer Engine Technology Forum 3016687230 etf@enginetechforum.org
