EPA Ports Initiative Newsletter

August 8, 2023

To accelerate the upgrade and turnover of the legacy diesel fleet, EPA released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the 2022-2023 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grant Program on August 2, 2023. The 2022-2023 DERA Grant Program will award approximately $115 million in grants, subject to the availability of funds, the quantity and quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations.

EPA is soliciting applications nationwide for projects that significantly reduce diesel emissions and exposure, especially from fleets operating at ports and other goods movements facilities and areas designated as having poor air quality. Priority for funding will also be given to projects that engage and benefit local communities, protect grant-funded investments from severe weather events caused by climate change, and applicants that demonstrate their ability to promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

All application packages need to be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than Friday, December 1, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) to be considered for funding.

NOTE: Potential applicants without a Federal Grants account are encouraged to initiate the Federal Grants registration process well ahead of the deadline for funding, the registration process can take a month or more.

For any questions on the application, applicants should email written questions to: dera@epa.gov. For any technical issues with grants.gov, please contact grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. More information, including applicant eligibility and regional funding breakdowns, can be found at the DERA website.

Past DERA Grants Awarded for Port Projects

Between 2008 and 2020, a total of 180 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants have been awarded for port projects, totaling $171 million. An additional 81 grants have been awarded through DERA to multi-sector projects that involve ports (note that only a portion of the $88 million of funds for these projects goes to the port sector). Previous awards for port-related projects have been used to install marine shore power and replace diesel marine engines, drayage trucks, tugboats, and straddle carriers with cleaner versions. For more information about DERA grants at ports, visit the Ports Initiative’s Overview of DERA Grants Awarded for Port Projects. 

Important Dates and Future Information Sessions

If you have questions, please contact DERA@epa.gov. 

For more information on resources and best practices to address diesel emissions at ports, please visit EPA's Ports Initiative website.

Previous newsletters can be found here: EPA Ports Initiative Newsletter | US EPA