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U.S. House Approves Diesel Emissions Reduction Act

Congressional passage of bipartisan environmental legislation reauthorizes successful program for five more years.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) now just needs President Obama’s signature for the bipartisan legislation to be reauthorized for five more years, as the U.S. House of Representatives approved DERA this morning by a voice vote.

The U.S. Senate had unanimously approved the legislation on December 16th.  President Obama is expected to sign the reauthorization into law.

“Today’s passage of DERA is a significant environmental and political accomplishment for the U.S. Congress.  The House and Senate have proved that bipartisanship can be attained on major environmental initiatives,” said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF).

“Passage of the DERA reauthorization will play a major role in our nation’s effort to expand our clean air initiatives.  In its first five years, DERA has proven to be one of the nation’s most successful clean air programs.  In addition, DERA has provided an average of $20 worth of environmental and health benefits for every $1 spent.  That’s a tremendous return on investment for any federal program.

“The bipartisan action by the House and Senate will benefit communities in every state in the nation.”
DERA (H.R. 5809) is a five-year reauthorization of the highly-successful program created in 2005 to establish voluntary national and state-level grant and loan programs to reduce diesel emissions by upgrading and modernizing older diesel engines and equipment. 

For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.

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