Grant funding available for diesel emissions reduction

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Diesel emissions reduction projects can now receive grant funding through the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

DHEC has $299,000 available for fiscal year 2022 to help county, city and local governments, private businesses, colleges and universities, and nonprofits replace or upgrade older diesel vehicles or equipment.

The funds come from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reductions Act program.

“Diesel engines last a long time, and many older-model diesel engines are still in use throughout our state,” said Rhonda Thompson, director of DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality, in a news release from the agency. “This funding will support projects that curb diesel and emissions and thereby provide benefits to both public and health and the environment in South Carolina.”

Previous DERA grant funding has been used to support a variety of different emissions reduction projects around the state including replacing concrete trucks, repowering a marine vessel and retrofitting school buses.

Applications for the grants are due by Nov. 18. Applications and information are available at scdhec.gov/dera.

For more information, email dera@dhec.sc.gov.