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.

School bus from Westerly powered with electricity

Westerly School District received a DERA grant to purchase an electric school bus.

Fishing vessel docked at the Port of Galilee in Narrangansett

SilverFox Fisheries Inc., received a DERA grant to install a new diesel engine and transmission.

Fishing vessel docked at the Port of Galilee in Narrangansett

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 has been extended until January 10, 2025.

Documents and Resources

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