The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $9 million in grant funding for clean diesel projects to reduce diesel pollution and emissions exposure from existing diesel engines.

The funding comes from EPA's Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) and will target the most cost-effective projects and fleets operating in areas designated as poor air quality areas.

Under this funding, EPA anticipates awarding between 10 and 20 assistance agreements. Various strategies are eligible for achieving diesel emission reductions, such as installing verified exhaust control and idle reduction devices, and vehicle and engine replacement. Projects may include school buses, transit buses, heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, locomotives, and other diesel engines.

The DERA program began in 2008, and EPA estimates clean diesel funding generates up to $13 of public health benefit for every $1 spent on diesel projects.

EPA has awarded more than 600 DERA grants across the U.S. and reduced more than 250,000 tons of NOx and more than 14,000 tons of PM. Many of these projects fund cleaner diesel engines that operate in economically disadvantaged communities whose residents suffer from higher-than-average instances of asthma, heart, and lung disease.

The closing date for receipt of proposals is June 17. Grantees will be notifed in September. For more information or to apply, visit the DERA National Funding Assistance Program.