[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1131-E1132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTION ACT OF 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2019

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the 
DERA Coalition in support of H.R. 1768 on the Diesel Emission Reduction 
Act.

             Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Coalition


  Please Support One of the Nation's Most Effective Clean Air Programs

       When it comes to improving air quality for communities 
     across the country, one of the most effective strategies is 
     to replace older heavy-duty vehicles and equipment with new 
     and much cleaner options. That is the goal of the Diesel 
     Emission Reduction Act (DERA) program managed by U.S. 
     Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We urge you to support 
     continuation of the program as provided under Matsui-Long 
     reauthorization bill (H.R. 1768) which would deliver vital 
     air quality improvements to your constituents.
       Four out of every ten Americans reside in a region with 
     unhealthy air, according to EPA. The American Lung 
     Association estimates that air quality for many regions 
     around the country is not improving. DERA helps communities 
     clean up their air by replacing older trucks, buses, and 
     equipment with newer, cleaner technologies. Replacing just 
     one Class 8 truck with a new model can eliminate tons of 
     emissions. DERA also enjoys broad bipartisan support, along 
     with support from a long list of business interests and 
     environmental and health advocates, including those 
     signatories below.
       According the EPA's latest report to Congress on the 
     program issued in July of this year, since DERA's funding was 
     first appropriated in 2008, more than 67,000 vehicles and 
     engines have been upgraded or replaced, delivering $19 
     billion in direct health benefits. Those benefits include 
     eliminating 15,490 tons of fine particles and 427,700 tons of 
     nitrogen oxides, a smog forming compound. That works out to 
     just about the same emission reductions as taking more than 
     236 million cars off the road for a year.
       The program provides just enough funding to encourage 
     owners to make a smart investment in their purchase of 
     cleaner and often more fuel-efficient vehicles and equipment. 
     As a result, every $1 in public funds appropriated through 
     the DERA program is leveraged with an additional $3 in 
     nonfederal funds, generating between $11 and $30 in public 
     health benefits and an additional $2 in fuel savings.
       While DERA has been around since 2008, there still is much 
     to be done. Heavy-duty trucks and off-road equipment are 
     built to last, meaning a large fleet of older and higher 
     emitting trucks remain in service. Only four in ten trucks on 
     the road today is equipped with technologies to achieve the 
     latest near-zero tailpipe emissions standard set by EPA. 
     Research shows that off-road equipment, including 
     locomotives, are of an even older generation technology and 
     will be in the field for decades to come. DERA provides the 
     funding needed to incentivize the replacement of those older 
     and higher emitting vehicles and equipment. The program is 
     voluntary, competitive, and technology neutral, allowing 
     funding to be used for projects, advanced locally, that 
     provide the highest benefits for the amount of funding 
     requested.
       The Diesel Emission Reduction Act has proved to be one of 
     the most effective tools to generate short-term air quality 
     and health benefits for local communities across the country, 
     but those benefits cannot be sustained without proper 
     funding. We encourage you to support extending the 
     authorization of this cost-effective and environmentally 
     impactful program for an additional five years as provided 
     for under the bill.
           Sincerely,
       Alabama State Port Authority, American Association of Port 
     Authorities, American Highway Users Alliance, American Lung 
     Association, American Trucking Associations, Associated 
     General Contractors of America BorgWarner Inc., Clean Air 
     Task Force, Cook--Illinois Corporation, Corning Incorporated.
       Cummins Inc., DENSO International America, Inc., Diesel 
     Technology Forum, Emissions Control Technology Association, 
     Engine Manufacturers Association, Environmental Defense Fund, 
     Faurecia Clean Mobility, The Lion Electric Co., Manufacturers 
     of Emission Controls Association, Massachusetts Port 
     Authority.

[[Page E1132]]

       NAFA Fleet Management Association, National Association of 
     State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, National 
     Resources Defense Council, National School Transportation 
     Association, NGK Automotive Ceramics USA, INC., Scania USA, 
     Seafood Harvesters of America, The Port of Corpus Christi, 
     The Port of Los Angeles.
       The Port of New Orleans, The Port of San Diego, The Port of 
     Virginia, Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association, Tula 
     Technology, Inc., Umicore Autocat USA Inc., Unifrax I LLC, 
     United Motorcoach Association, Volvo Group North America.

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