Carper on EPA’s Award of $10.5 Million in Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Funds for Clean School Buses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded approximately $10.5 million to replace 473 older diesel school buses across the country, including Providence Creek Academy Charter School in Clayton, Delaware. Funding for these upgrades is provided by Senator Carper’s legislation, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). The new buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to asthma and lung damage, better protecting health and air quality in communities across the country.

“I always take immense pride in seeing the positive impact that DERA continues to have across this country,” said Chairman Carper. “By replacing dirty diesel engines with cleaner American-made alternatives, DERA allows communities to breathe easier while also supporting manufacturing jobs here at home. DERA is also proof that Congress can come together to pass lasting solutions that are good for our planet. I’m thrilled that EPA is awarding nearly 500 school bus replacements today—several of them electric for the first time—because of our recent bipartisan reauthorization of this program. With President Biden in the White House and Michael Regan at the helm of EPA, I’m excited for the opportunity to grow programs like DERA that strengthen our economy and address the climate crisis.”

“The rebates provide children with a safe and healthy way to get to school by upgrading older diesel engines in our nation’s school buses,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, EPA is equipping local school districts with cleaner-running buses, helping them along the route to healthier kids and communities.”

Background

• DERA was first established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and was co-authored by Senator Carper and the late Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio).
• On March 12, 2019, Senator Carper and Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced legislation to reauthorize DERA.
• On April 10, 2019, EPW voted to advance Senator Carper’s DERA reauthorization legislation out of committee.
• On July 23, 2020, the Senate voted to approve DERA 2019 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
• In December of 2020, Senator Carper’s legislation to reauthorize DERA was included in the omnibus spending bill.

More information on the EPA announcement can be found here.

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