Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)
Background
The Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA), contained within the Energy Policy Act of 2005, provides grants and loans to states and other eligible entities to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions. DEM receives funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the State DERA Program. From time to time, project proposals have been solicited from municipalities, organizations, and individuals for diesel reduction projects that are environmentally and economically beneficial.
Jump to topics:
Eligibility and Projects On Road Diesel Vehicle Marine Nonroad Equipment Applications Anticipated Timeline Documents/ Resources Completed Projects
Eligibility and Projects
Applicants eligible to apply for the State DERA Fund include, but are not limited to independent owner operators (IOOs), fleet operators, local businesses, municipalities, and others that meet the program requirements.
Equipment eligible for grant funding shall meet the following requirements:
On Road Diesel Vehicle
- Buses, medium duty trucks, and heavy-duty trucks (Class 5 through Class 8)
- Be registered with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles;
- Be kept or garaged in Rhode Island as indicated on the vehicle registration issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles; and
- The applicant shall certify to the Department on the application that fifty percent (50%) or more of the vehicle miles traveled, or hours of operation, shall be projected to be in Rhode Island for at least five (5) years following the reimbursement grant award.
Marine
- Be registered with the Department’s Office of Boat Registration or with the Coast Guard (Documentation is required);
- Be used to provide goods and/or services to Rhode Island residents;
- If the vessel is identified as a commercial fishing vessel at least fifty prevent (50%) or more of the fish landed in the last year were in Rhode Island ports; and
- The applicant must commit to reporting usage information for at least five (5) years following the reimbursement grant award.
Nonroad Equipment
- Includes diesel powered equipment and vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo (including at ports and airports), agriculture, mining, or energy production (including stationary generators and pumps).
- Must provide documentation of operating at least 500 hours/year during the two years prior to upgrade (250 hours/year for agricultural pumps)
- he applicant must commit to reporting usage information for at least five (5) years following the reimbursement grant award.
For 2021 the following types of projects are eligible to receive monies from the State DERA Fund:
- On Road Vehicle Replacements (Diesel, Alternative Fuel, Low NOx, Fuel Cell, All-Electric);
- School Bus Replacements (ZERO EMISSION/ELECTRIC ONLY)*;
- Nonroad Equipment/Vehicles (Diesel, Alternative Fuel, Low NOx, All-Electric); and
- Marine Engine Replacement (Diesel, Alternative Fuel, Low NOx, All-Electric)
*We will only accept applications for school bus replacement projects if they are zero emission (ZEV) replacements, including all-electric and fuel cell vehicles
Back to topApplications
All interested parties must submit an application once the Department issues a Request for Proposals (RFP). Applications will be evaluated based on the project's ability to cost effectively reduce emissions as well as other factors.
The Department will contact successful applicants about their award status once a decision has been made. The applicant is not to make any purchases and start the project until after the Grant Agreement has been signed and a Project Confirmation Letter has been issued. Please be aware that the Department and the State of Rhode Island take no responsibility for project work done outside the term or scope of a valid grant agreement or prior to a full approval of an agreement.
In accordance with the Multi – State Medium and Heavy Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Memorandum of Understanding (MHD ZEV MOU), the State of Rhode Island is making a pointed effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the MHD sector. Therefore, on-road applicants with a ZEV replacement for on-road MHD vehicles will be scored higher than diesel and traditional fuel replacements.
Any questions or applications on the State DERA Fund can be submitted via email to Madeline Haines at Madeline.Haines@dem.ri.gov.
Back to topAnticipated Timeline:
- October 4, 2021 – Request for Proposals and application is released
- November 5, 2021 – Deadline for application submission
Documents/ Resources
- 2021-2022 DERA RFP
- DERA On-Road Application
- DERA School Bus Application
- DERA Marine Application
- DERA NonRoad Application
- 2021 DERA State Grants Program Guide
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Completed Projects
| Award Amount | Awardee | Project |
|---|---|---|
| $10,331 | Barrington Yacht Club | Marine ferry vessel replacement of 1 engine |
| $68,838 | Marcus Brothers, Inc. | Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
| $27,353 | University of Rhode Island (College of Environment and Life Sciences) | Engine replacement of 1 marine research vessel |
| Award Amount | Awardee | Project |
|---|---|---|
| $51,469 | Booth Fisheries, Inc. | Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
| Award Amount | Awardee | Project |
|---|---|---|
| $15,190 | D.B.A. F/V Blue Moon | Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
| $89,250 | Cranston Public Schools (Transportation Office) | Vehicle replacements of 3 school buses |
| $40,800 | Foley Fisheries | Engine replacement of 1 marine vessel |
| $102,680 | Frances Fleet Inc. | Marine vessel replacement of 3 engines |
| Award Amount | Awardee | Project |
|---|---|---|
| $50,220 | University of Rhode Island (College of Environment and Life Sciences) | Engine repower of 1 marine research vessel |
| $60,000 | RIDOT | Vehicle replacement of 1 highway dump truck/plow/sander |
| $112,837 | Cranston Public Schools (Transportation Office) | Vehicle replacements of 6 school buses |
| Award Amount | Awardee | Project |
|---|---|---|
| $110,680 | Rhode Island Airport Corporation | Retrofit of 39 airport ground support equipment |
| $9,468 | City of Warwick - Department of Public Works | Vehicle Replacement |
| $127,732 | Community College of Rhode Island | Vehicle replacements of two dump trucks/snow plows |
| $94,224 | City of Warwick - Fire Deparment | Vehicle replacement of two rescue trucks |
| $12,984 | City of Central Falls - Department of Public Works | Exhaust retrofits of 6 vehicles |
| $88,000 | Town of Bristol - Fire Department | Vehicle replacement of 1 rescue truck |
| $193,808 | City of Pawtucket - Fire Department | Vehicle replacement of 1 ladder truck |
| $118,750 | City of Providence - Fire Department | Vehicle replacement of 1 pumper truck |
| $150,000 | Town of Johnston | Vehicle replacement of 1 ladder truck |
| $57,061* | Port of Galilee | Shore power installation. *State match of $235,294 |
| $132,444 | City of Pawtucket - Fire Department | Vehicle replacement of 1 pumper truck |
| $44,2200 | City of Pawtucket - Office of Public Works Center | Vehicle replacement of 1 highway dump truck/plow/sander |