American Lung Association and Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program aims to cut emissions from older diesel engines, which power many sectors of the economy. Despite modern engines being cleaner, nearly eight million older engines still emit harmful pollutants like PM2.5 and NOx, causing serious health issues, including asthma, lung disease, and cardiac problems.
To address this, the American Lung Association (ALA) and Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation (IACT) have partnered on DERA projects. With over 40 years of experience, ALA has secured $31.4 million in grants, impacting 130 fleets and 1,648 vehicles, reducing 975,082 tons of emissions. Founded in 1994, IACT promotes alternative fuels and emission reductions across Illinois.
From 2008 to 2018, DERA projects cut 5.3 million tons of CO2, 16,800 tons of PM, 491,000 tons of NOx, and saved 500 million gallons of diesel, preventing about 850 premature deaths and providing health benefits valued at $8-$8.6 billion.
Current projects include:
- Waste Management: replacing 18 diesel refuse haulers with low-NOx CNG vehicles in Cook and Kane Counties, IL, reducing 730 tons of emissions and saving 65,274 gallons of diesel.
- G&W: installing idle-reduction technologies on 35 locomotives across IL, IN, and OH, reducing 3,124 tons of emissions and saving 245,154 gallons of diesel.
These initiatives benefit the environment and improve health conditions for workers exposed to diesel emissions.