Rep. Calvert Praises EPA Clean Air Funding for California

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) praised the announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it awarded $9.6 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grants to public and private partners in California.

"I have proudly supported increased funding for the EPA's DERA grant program because the resources make a real impact in improving our air quality in Southern California," said Rep. Calvert. "As Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I have and I will continue to make DERA funding and improved air quality a priority for all Americans."

According to the EPA, the funds will be used to retrofit and replace old, polluting diesel vehicles and equipment, including school buses, heavy-duty trucks, tractors and port equipment. The DERA leverages public and private funds to reduce emissions from the most polluting diesel sources.

The 2018 DERA grants awarded to California will fund the following projects in Southern California:

• California Air Resources Board (CARB) received $435,149 to replace 5 heavy-duty school buses with all-electric alternatives throughout California. The funds will be combined with $379,516 in matching funds from CARB, and $1,280,000 in cost-shared funds from participating fleets.
  
• City of Los Angeles Harbor Department (LAHD), Port of Los Angeles received $279,750 to replace four older Tier 2 diesel engines on two tugboats operating in San Pedro Bay, with cleaner Tier 4 engines. The project will also replace one diesel sweeper at the Port of Los Angeles with two cleaner Tier 4 engines. The funds will be combined with $544,250 in matching funds from LAHD and partners.
  
• Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) received $674,865 to replace three diesel-powered shuttle buses with zero-emission, battery-electric buses. The funds will be combined with $824,835 in cost-shared funds from United Airlines.
  
• South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) received a total of $2,321,023 for two projects. SCAQMD received $719,500 to replace an older 2007 Tier 2 locomotive at the Port of Long Beach with a new Tier 4 diesel locomotive. The older Tier 2 unit will then displace an even older Tier 0 locomotive within the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District. The funds will be combined with $2,158,500 in matching funds from SCAQMD.
  
• SCAQMD also received $1,601,523 to replace 16 diesel trucks with newer compressed natural gas engines certified to meet CARB's optional low oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission standard. The funds will be combined with $1,600,000 in cost-shared funds from participating fleets.
  

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