FIRE BAN IN EFFECT In response to the continued elevated risk of wildfires, DEM has issued a fire ban at all State Parks, campgrounds, and management areas until further notice. The ban is effective as of today (10/28/24) and includes campfires in designated campfire areas, including charcoal fires and cooking fires. This preventative measure applies to all DEM-managed lands and aims to reduce the threat of human-caused wildfires. DEM will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions to determine when the ban can be lifted. Together we can protect our communities and keep first responders safe by reducing the risk of wildfires: 📞 Call 911 if you spot a fire/smoke. Timely information is critical to contain fires before they spread. 🔥 Remember, any outdoor fire is a potential source for a wildfire. Be careful with cigarettes and ashes. When disposing of wood stove ashes, put the ashes in a metal bucket of water. 🚒 Check with your local fire department for any other restrictions and permitting information. 🚨 Stay informed and find resources at dem.ri.gov/wildfirestatus.
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 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. 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. Prev Next Slide 1 Slide 2 Slide 3 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. Equipment eligible for grant funding shall meet the following requirements: On-Road Diesel Vehicles 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. 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. Non-Road Diesel 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 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. 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, Fuel Cell, 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. 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. Anticipated Timeline: 2024 Coming Soon Documents and Resources 2023 DERA Request for Proposals (RFP) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes DERA Marine Application 2023 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes DERA On-Road Application 2023 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes DERA Non-Road Application 2023 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes DERA School Bus ZEV Replacement PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes 2023-2024 DERA State Grants Program Guide PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Past Projects FY2022 DERA Awards (Not Completed) 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 FY2021 DERA Awards (Completed) 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 DEM Completed, Grant-Funded Projects: FY2011-2020 DERA Awards 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