In June 2005, the U.S. Senate passed an amendment to the Energy Bill that would provide funding to cut emissions from high-polluting diesel engines. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) sponsored the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005, which would create a national program to fund the cleanup of all types of diesel-powered vehicles, including trucks, buses, tractors, ships, and trains. The amendment passed with overwhelming support, with only one senator voting against the measure. The legislation authorizes $200 million per year over five years in grants and loans for states and organizations to clean up existing diesel fleets.

Senator Voinovich convened a diverse coalition of environmental groups and industry to help craft the legislation.  UCS together with Environmental Defense, the Ohio Environmental Council, and the Clean Air Task Force, represented environmental interests, while the Diesel Technology Forum, Caterpillar, Cummins, Corning, and emissions control companies united in industry support.

Senate co-sponsors of the bill include Tom Carper (D-DE), Hilary Clinton (D-NY), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX), and Johnny Isakson (R-GA).  This unique mix of voices all agree that reducing pollution from diesel engines is a public health priority, and that federal and state funding is a key strategy to clean up diesel engines.

“The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act can get diesel cleanup technologies off the shelf and onto vehicles” says Patricia Monahan, Senior Transportation Analyst. “This cost-effective program will pay for itself in reduced health costs and saved lives.”

The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act builds upon successful incentive programs in Texas and California. A federal program would spread benefits across the country, and spur states to develop their own programs with matching funds. Of the $1 billion program, 70 percent would go to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to distribute, while 30 percent would go directly to states.

UCS will be working with its allies in Washington and clean diesel advocates across the nation to ensure that the money authorized for this important program is fully appropriated starting in the Fiscal Year 2007 interior appropriations bill (this is the bill that handles funding for the EPA).

Related: California's Diesel Risk Reduction Plan