EPA: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act helped retrofit more than 50,000 engines

Between 2008 and 2010, more than 50,000 diesel-powered engines were upgraded or replaced using Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding.

The upgrades helped reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 203,000 tons, particulate matter by 12,500 tons and carbons dioxide emissions by 2.3 million tons, according to a recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report to Congress. In addition, the upgraded units helped save 63 million gallons of fuel.

"DERA has proven consistently that relatively small public investments can be leveraged with significant private sector matching funds that together result in major cost-effective emissions reductions and fuel savings," said Diesel Technology Forum Executive Director Allen Schaeffer in a prepared statement.

DERA received nearly $470 million in annual appropriations and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds between fiscal years 2008 and 2010. Future funding for the program is uncertain, however. The FY2014 federal budget cuts funding for DERA by 70 percent, from $20 million in FY2013 to $6 million in FY2014.