FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 11, 2022

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Today, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announces the availability of grant funding aimed at reducing diesel emissions and improving air quality throughout the state. Diesel emissions make up a significant portion of the mobile source air pollution in South Carolina. 

For federal fiscal year (FFY) 2022, DHEC has $299,000 to be used for the replacement or upgrade of older diesel vehicles, engines, and equipment. The funds are provided through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.

“Diesel engines last a long time, and many older-model diesel engines are still in use throughout our state. These older engines have significantly higher emissions than similar newer engines,” said Rhonda Thompson, Director of DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality. “This funding will support projects that curb diesel emissions and thereby provide benefits to both public health and the environment in South Carolina.”

DERA funding is intended for county, city, or other local government entities, private businesses, colleges and universities, and non-profit organizations. Grants are awarded to eligible applicants for the implementation of diesel emissions reduction projects which will positively impact air quality and public health. These projects should be cost-effective, easily feasible, and reduce emissions through engine repowers, equipment and exhaust retrofits, or equipment replacements. EPA can share between 25% and 100% of eligible costs, depending on the type of project. 

Previous DERA grant funding has been used to support a variety of different types of emissions reduction projects including replacing concrete trucks, repowering a marine vessel, and retrofitting school buses. A complete list of projects funded by DERA grants in South Carolina can be found here.  

The FFY2022 SC State DERA Request for Proposals (RFP), which contains detailed eligibility criteria and application instructions, is available at scdhec.gov/dera. Applications for the FFY2022 SC State DERA grant cycle are due by Nov. 18, 2022.  

Please email dera@dhec.sc.gov with any questions related to DERA grants in South Carolina.

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