Bipartisan bill would reauthorize Diesel Emissions Reduction Act

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators have introduced a bill to reauthorize the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) through fiscal-year 2024 at current funding levels.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) will hold a hearing on the bill —  the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2019 (S. 747) — today. In addition to funding levels, the legislation would also ensure "equal funding opportunities between both large, metropolitan centers and less populated, rural areas across the country," according to a press release issued by U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), one of the bill's sponsors.

In addition to Carper, the bill was introduced by U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (D-Okla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Kirsten Gillbrand (D-N.Y.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

"DERA effectively uses American-made technology to reduce air pollution that harms our lungs and our climate — creating American jobs and a healthier environment," said Carper. "Every dollar invested in DERA generates a 13-fold return in health and economic benefits."

Sen. Barrasso chairs the EPW Committee; Carper is the committee's top Democrat.