Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee

Letter

Dear Chairman Inouye, Ranking Member Cochran, Chairman Reed, and Ranking Member Murkowski:

We are writing concerning the pending appropriation in fiscal year 2012 for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program ("DERA"). We believe DERA provides us with a win-win in environmental and economic benefits and hope you will fund the program to the amounts seen in the FY08 Appropriation bill.

Our nation relies heavily on diesel power to transport commuters, harvest our crops, and build our infrastructure. Compared with traditional gasoline engines, diesel engines usually are more fuel efficient and have a longer life span, but without the proper technology, diesel engines produce more air emissions. Fortunately, new and retrofitted diesel engines are much cleaner. Unfortunately, millions of older engines will be in use for several more decades, yet they, lack the latest pollution control technology. Exhaust from these engines contains several constituents that are harmful to human health and the environment. Retrofitting older diesel engines with American-made technology can dramatically reduce diesel emissions, protecting our health and creating jobs here at home.

Enacted through the Energy Policy Act of 2005, DERA provides funding to finance the installation of retrofits on existing heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines, reducing harmful emissions by as much as 90 percent. DERA has had overwhelming bi-partisan support. In 2005, DERA passed the Senate by a vote of 92 to 1. In 2010, DERA was reauthorized unanimously by Congress through 2016. DERA has become one of the most cost-effective clean air federal programs, averaging more than $13 in health and economic benefits for every $1 in funding. DERA effectively cleans our air, saves lives and saves jobs in industries that are suffering from the depression in the auto sector. It is a true win-win-win.

We have been advised that the EPA has been overwhelmed with DERA applications with significant matching contributions to help leverage additional diesel retrofits. On March 1, 2011, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, where she agreed there were tremendous remaining opportunities to provide for diesel emissions reductions under DERA. Unfortunately, the President's budget for fiscal year 2012 has zeroed out all DERA funding.

Although we appreciate dedication to reducing the federal deficit, eliminating such a successful, bipartisan program like DERA does not make sense. However, we understand we are in a fiscal crisis and reductions to even great programs need to be made for fiscal year 2012. This is why we are asking you to match fiscal years 2008 and 2011 appropriation funding for DERA and provide $50 million in the FY12 appropriation. This is a reduction in funding from years past, but provides funding for the outstanding need. At a time when our country is looking for ways to create jobs and clean the environment, DERA stands out as a prime example of a program that works.

Thank you for considering our request.

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