Almost $3 million in federal funding available to reduce diesel emissions

Listen to this article

Almost $3 million in federal funding is available for projects aimed at reducing diesel emissions across the state.  

The U.S. Environmental Program Agency’s 2021 State Diesel Emissions Reduction Act includes $294,000 to help support clean diesel projects in South Carolina, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Wednesday. The funding can be used by county, city or local governments, private organizations, businesses and universities to replace or upgrade older diesel engines.  

“Recent data shows that diesel engines account for a majority of harmful emissions from both on-road and off-road equipment,” Rhonda Thompson, DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality Chief, said in a news release. “This funding will support projects that target older diesel engines and will reduce their harmful effects on public health and the environment.” 

A request for proposal will be released Oct. 1, with grants awarded to eligible applicants presenting cost-effective plans to reduce emissions through engine repowers, equipment and exhaust retrofits, or equipment replacements. The EPA will share between 25% and 100% of the costs, depending on the type of project. 

Previously allocated DERA grant funding has been used to replace school buses, repower a marine vessel, and retrofit emergency response vehicles, according to the release.  

More program information is available online.