Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)
Background
The Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA), contained within the Federal 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 Grants Program. Project proposals have been solicited from municipalities, organizations, and individuals for diesel reduction projects that are environmentally and economically beneficial.
Westerly School District received a DERA grant to purchase an electric school bus.
SilverFox Fisheries Inc., received a DERA grant to install a new diesel engine and transmission.
Booth Fisheries Inc., received a DERA grant to install a new diesel engine, transmission and propeller.
DERA Grant Testimonials
- “We have already been hearing positive things from our passengers on the boat in the few days we’ve had it in service. So far most of the comments are on the quieter ride and less diesel smell/ smoke while underway. Our crew love the improvement in the boat’s handling and how easy it is to monitor and start the engines remotely. We have also reduced the idle time at the at the dock by over an hour a day which we expect to improve upon as time goes on.” - A&R Marine Corp.
- “The oil savings in tremendous. We used to have to add a 5 gallon pail of oil every 48 hours, and it hasn’t needed to add any since the 100 hour required change for the new engine.” - Booth Fisheries
- “The response from parents and students alike has been great! Our drivers really enjoy driving them as well.” - Westerly Public Schools
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. 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)
- Non-Road Equipment/Vehicle Replacements (Diesel, Alternative Fuel, Low NOx, Fuel Cell, All-Electric)
- Marine Engine Replacements (Diesel, Alternative Fuel, Low NOx, All-Electric)
- School Bus Replacements (ZERO EMISSION/ELECTRIC ONLY)
Equipment eligible for grant funding shall meet the following requirements:
- Buses, medium duty trucks, and heavy-duty trucks (Class 5 through Class 8);
- Drayage trucks: any Class 8 (GVWR greater than 33,000) highway vehicle operating on or transgressing through port or intermodal rail yard property for the purpose of loading, unloading or transporting cargo;
- 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.
- 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 in the state of Rhode Island (250 hours/year for agricultural pumps)
- The applicant must commit to reporting usage information for at least five (5) years following the reimbursement grant award.
- 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.
We will only accept applications for school bus replacement projects if they are zero-emission (ZEV) replacements, including all-electric and fuel cell vehicles. We will also accept applications for school bus engine swaps from a diesel engine to a ZEV engine and chassis.
Applications
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 and pollutants in the MHD sector. Therefore, on-road applicants with a ZEV replacement for on-road MHD vehicles will receive bonus points over diesel and traditional fuel replacements. Applications with alternative fuel sources (propane, CNG, LNG, ethanol) will be scored higher than diesel, but not higher than a ZEV replacement.
Timeline
- The 2024 Request for Proposal (RFP) application period is now closed.
Documents and Resources
Past Projects
| Award Amount | Awardee | Project |
|---|---|---|
| $44,225 | City of Providence | Vehicle replacement of 1 Class 5 truck |
| $60,194 | Oldport Marine Services, Inc. | Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
| $47,492 | Richard Bellavance | Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
| $195,195 | Town of Westerly (Westerly Public Schools) | Vehicle replacement of 1 electric school bus and charging pedestal |
|
Award Amount |
Awardee |
Project |
|---|---|---|
|
$56,010 |
C-Devil II Sportfishing, Inc. |
Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$13,413 |
American Seafood, Inc. |
Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$12,240 |
Oldport Marine Services, Inc. |
Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$58,492 |
SilverFox Fisheries, Inc. |
Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$359,752 |
Town of Westerly (Westerly Public Schools |
Vehicle replacement of 2 electric school buses and charging pedestals |
|
Award Amount |
Awardee |
Project |
|---|---|---|
|
$183,407 |
A&R Marine Corp. D.B.A. Prudence and Bay Islands Transport |
Marine ferry vessel replacement of 2 engines |
|
$10,331 |
Barrington Yacht Club |
Marine ferry vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$16,400 |
Daniel J. Eagan |
Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$50,575 |
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 |
|
$51,469 |
Booth Fisheries, Inc. |
Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$32,500 |
Newport Biodiesel, Inc. |
Vehicle replacements of 1 vacuum truck |
|
$33,503 |
Charter Boat Mako II, Inc. |
Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$56,000 |
Patrick T. Duckworth |
Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$40,000 |
Richmond Sand and Stone LLC |
Vehicle replacement of 1 on-road tractor |
|
$12,182 |
Triumph Fisheries LLC D.B.A. Tenacity Fisheries LLC |
Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$40,600 |
City of Pawtucket (Highway Office) |
Vehicle replacement of 1 plow truck |
|
$15,190 |
Dennis Ingram D.B.A. F/V Blue Moon |
Marine vessel replacement of 1 engine |
|
$89,250 |
Cranston Public Schools (Transportation Office) |
Vehicle replacement 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 |
|
$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 replacement of 6 school buses |
|
$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 Department |
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 |
|
$44,220 |
City of Pawtucket - Office of Public Works Center |
Vehicle replacement of 1 highway dump truck/plow/sander |