FY2011 DERA STAG Coalition Letter
 

Click here for printer friendly version of this letter.  The letter was also sent to the House Committee on Appropriations.

March 30, 2010

Dear Chairmen Inouye and Feinstein and Ranking Members Cochran and Alexander:

As a uniquely broad coalition of environmental, science-based, public health, industry, and state and local government groups, we thank you for your prior investments in the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) and state and local air quality grant programs. We write to request $100 million for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) and $309.1million for state and local air quality grants under the Clean Air Act in FY 2011.

Diesel-powered vehicles and equipment play an important role in the nation’s economyand are getting cleaner every day. DERA, originally enacted in 2005 with strong bipartisansupport, was designed to reduce emissions from the 20 million existing diesel engines inuse today by as much as 90 percent. DERA is an innovative voluntary program of national and state grants and loans for the installation of retrofits on existing heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines.

Since enactment, DERA has been successful from an economic and public health perspective, yielding one of the greatest cost-benefit ratios of any federal program, according to Office and Management and Budget calculations. In a recent Report to Congress on the first year of the DERA program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that for every dollar spent on the DERA program, an average of more than $20 in health benefits are generated. Every state in the nation now has a diesel retrofit program and would benefit from DERA funding.

Increasing the installation of clean diesel retrofits through significant funding for DERA can generate global warming benefits. While U.S. EPA and others continue to study the issue, recent studies show that black carbon from diesel exhaust has global warming potential. Clean diesel retrofits can reduce this black carbon by over 90 percent. However, DERA funding is not keeping pace with the program’s needs. DERA was authorized for $1 billion between FY2007-FY2011, but only $469.2 million of these funds have been appropriated (including $300 million from the American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)). In the past year, the EPA received over 600 applications totaling nearly $2 billion in requests and over $2 billion in matching funds. In fact, EPA estimates they received $1 billion in high quality requests from the ARRA solicitation that went unfunded after ARRA funds were exhausted. The second critical component of our request is FY2011 funding for state and local air quality grants at $309.1 million, which is the amount recently requested by the President and which represents an $82.5 million increase above FY2010 appropriated levels. State and local governments hold primary responsibility for preventing and controlling air pollution and rely on these grants to carry out their core obligations under the Clean Air Act, including monitoring air quality, assessing emissions impacts, permitting and inspecting sources and enforcing laws and regulations.

We urge increased funding for these grants because state and local air quality agencies are straining to maintain existing programs and address increasing responsibilities – such as developing State Implementation Plans to attain and maintain National Ambient Air Quality Standards, implementing clean air rules, abating toxic air pollutants and developing capacity to permit large sources of greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, federal grants for these programs have decreased by approximately one-third in terms of purchasing power over the last 18 years. Recognizing federal resources are limited, we support the President’s request, although it will cover only a portion of the federal funding shortfall these agencies face.

State and localities, along with environmental, health, user, and industry groups all support diesel retrofit and clean air investments because it is sound environmental, economic, and budgetary policy. Investment in clean diesel retrofit technology has proven to be the most effective means for reducing U.S. diesel and related black carbon emissions. This funding generates or saves jobs in an industry that is among the hardest hit by the global economic downturn. Most states are facing serious budget challenges that threaten state and local funding for DERA and clean air programs. Therefore, we urge Congress to allocate $100 million for DERA and $309.1 million for state and local air quality grants in FY2011.

Sincerely,

Air Quality Work Group, California Partnership

for the San Joaquin Valley

Alabama State Port Authority

Alaska Wilderness League

American Association of Port Authorities

(AAPA)

American Bottom Conservancy

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

American Cancer Society Eastern Division

American Littoral Society

American Lung Association

American Lung Association in Alabama

American Lung Association in Alaska

American Lung Association in Arizona

American Lung Association in California

American Lung Association in Colorado

American Lung Association in Connecticut

American Lung Association in Delaware

American Lung Association in Florida

American Lung Association in Georgia

American Lung Association in Hawaii

American Lung Association in Idaho

American Lung Association in Illinois -- Greater

Chicago

American Lung Association in Indiana

American Lung Association in Iowa

American Lung Association in Kentucky

American Lung Association in Louisiana

Letter to Chairmen Inouye and Feinstein and Ranking Members Cochran and Alexander:

March 30, 2010

Page Three

American Lung Association in Maine

American Lung Association in Maryland

American Lung Association in Massachusetts

American Lung Association in Michigan

American Lung Association in Minnesota

American Lung Association in Mississippi

American Lung Association in Montana

American Lung Association in Nevada

American Lung Association in New Hampshire

American Lung Association in New Jersey

American Lung Association in New Mexico

American Lung Association in New York

State, Inc.

American Lung Association in North Carolina

American Lung Association in North Dakota

American Lung Association in Ohio

American Lung Association in Oregon

American Lung Association in Pennsylvania

American Lung Association in Rhode Island

American Lung Association in South Carolina

American Lung Association in South Dakota

American Lung Association in Tennessee

American Lung Association in Utah

American Lung Association in Vermont

American Lung Association in Virginia

American Lung Association in Washington

American Lung Association in West Virginia

American Lung Association in Wisconsin

American Lung Association in Wyoming

American Road & Transportation Builders

Association

American Trucking Associations

Associated Equipment Distributors

Associated General Contractors of America

(AGC)

Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Autotherm Division Enthal Systems Inc.

Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council

BASF Catalyst LLC

Bay Area Air Quality Management District

Beaverton Schools Transportation

Bettendorf Trucking

Blue Bird Corporation

Boston Climate Action Network (BostonCAN)

Breathe California

Breathe Clean Air Action Team (BCAAT, Inc.)

Brett Hulsey, Dane County Supervisor, District 4

California Cotton Ginners Association

California Cotton Growers Association

CALSTART

Canary Coalition

Carolina Green Food Service Supply

Cascade Sierra Solutions

Catalytic Solutions, Inc.

Caterpillar Inc.

Center for Biological Diversity

Centro Comunatario Juan Diego

Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance

Charlotte Energy Solutions

Chelsea Collaborative, Inc

Chestnut Ridge Transportation, Inc.

Childhood Lead Action Project

Citizen Action/Illinois

Citizens' Environmental Coalition

Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture)

City of Pittsburgh Mayor, Luke Ravenstahl

City of Westland, Michigan

Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania

Clean Air Carolina

Clean Air Council

Clean Air Task Force (CATF)

Clean Air Watch

Clean Fuels Ohio

Clean Water Action - California

Clean Water Action - Chesapeake Region

Clean Water Action - Colorado

Clean Water Action - Connecticut

Clean Water Action - Florida

Clean Water Action - Michigan

Clean Water Action - Pennsylvania

Clean Water Action - Rhode Island

Clean Water Action - Texas

Clean Water Action - Washington, DC

Clean Water Action Alliance of Massachusetts

Clean Water Action Alliance of Minnesota

Coastal Conservation League

Colorado Environmental Coalition

Community Bus Services, Inc

Commuter Challenge

Cornell Outdoor Education

Corning Incorporated

Craufurd Manufacturing, LLC

Cummins Bridgeway LLC

Cummins Inc.

Cummins NPower

DC Environmental Network

Deere & Company

Diesel Technology Forum (DTF)

Donaldson Company

Doug Hodgson Trucking Co

Dousman Transport Company, Inc.

Earth Day Coalition

Earthjustice

Eaton Corporation

Educational Bus Transportation, Inc.

Emissions Control Technology Association

(ECTA)

Emisstar LLC

Engine Control Systems Limited

Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA)

Letter to Chairmen Inouye and Feinstein and Ranking Members Cochran and Alexander:

March 30, 2010

Page Four

Environment Colorado

Environment Georgia

Environment Northeast

Environment Oregon

Environmental Defense Fund

Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island

FitzGerald Corp.

Flagler County Public Schools

Fowler Bus

Friends of the Earth

Georgia Mining Association

Georgia Ports Authority

Georgia Women’s Action for New Directions

Gilco Properties Inc.

Gladstein, Neandross & Associates

Global Green USA

Gordon Trucking, Inc

Granite State Clean Cities Coalition

Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities Program

Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice

Groundwork Lawrence

Group Against Smog and Pollution (Pittsburgh)

Hendrickson Bus Corporation

Human Action Community Organization

Huntington Coach Corporation

Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition

Illinois Student Environmental Coalition

Inland Power Group (Butler, WI)

Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Jaco Transportation, Inc.

James River Barge Line

Joe Costa Trucking

Johnson Matthey, Inc

Krapf Bus Companies

Lane Regional Air Protection Agency

Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association

(MECA)

Massport

Metrolina Biofuels

Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Clean Air Counts

Campaign

Michigan Citizen Action

Michigan Land Use Institute

Mid State Bus Service, Inc.

MIRATECH Corporation

Mobile Bay Audubon Society

Montana Association of Churches

Mothers and Others for Clean Air (GA)

MTU Detroit Diesel Inc.

Mulehead Transport

National Association for Pupil Transportation

(NAPT)

National Association of Clean Air Agencies

(NACAA)

National Association of Counties

National Association of Manufacturers

National Association of State Directors of Pupil

Transportation Services

National Association of Waterfront Employers

(NAWE)

National Conference of State Legislatures

National Ground Water Association

National Railway Equipment Company

National School Transportation Association

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

Navistar, Inc.

NC WARN

New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition

New Jersey Environmental Federation (State

Chapter of Clean Water Action)

New York Public Interest Research Group

(NYPIRG)

New York Shipping Association

NGK Automotive Ceramics USA, Inc.

North Carolina State Ports Authority

Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use

Management (NESCAUM)

Nose Cone Mfg. Co.

Nuestras Raices

Ocean State Action (RI)

Ohio Contractors Association

Ohio Environmental Council

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

Ohio League of Conservation Voters

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Oregon Environmental Council

Oregon Interfaith Power and Light, a project of

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

Oregon Trucking Associations

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association

(PNWA)

PennEnvironment

Pennsylvania Council of Churches

Pitt County Memorial Hospital Pediatric Asthma

Program

Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities

Port Everglades

Port of Everett

Port of Houston Authority

Port of Long Beach

Port of Los Angeles

Port of Oakland

Port of Pittsburgh Commission

Port of Portland (OR)

Port of San Francisco

Port of Seattle

Port of Tacoma

Prince William Conservation Alliance

Providential Gardener

Letter to Chairmen Inouye and Feinstein and Ranking Members Cochran and Alexander:

March 30, 2010

Page Five

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Regional Air Pollution Control Agency

Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan

Chicago

Rush Truck Center -- Abilene (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Albuquerque (NM)

Rush Truck Center -- Alice (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Ardmore (OK)

Rush Truck Center -- Atlanta (GA)

Rush Truck Center -- Austin (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Chandler (AZ)

Rush Truck Center -- Dallas (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Denver (CO)

Rush Truck Center -- El Centro (CA)

Rush Truck Center -- El Paso (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Escondido (CA)

Rush Truck Center -- Flagstaff (AZ)

Rush Truck Center -- Fontana (CA)

Rush Truck Center -- Fort Worth (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Greeley (CO)

Rush Truck Center -- Haines City (FL)

Rush Truck Center -- Houston (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Jacksonville (FL)

Rush Truck Center -- Laredo (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Las Cruces (NM)

Rush Truck Center -- Lufkin (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Mobile (AL)

Rush Truck Center -- Nashville (TN)

Rush Truck Center -- Oklahoma City (OK)

Rush Truck Center -- Orlando (FL)

Rush Truck Center -- Pharr (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Phoenix (AZ)

Rush Truck Center -- Pico Rivera (CA)

Rush Truck Center -- San Antonio (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- San Diego (CA)

Rush Truck Center -- Sealy (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Sylmar (CA)

Rush Truck Center -- Tampa (FL)

Rush Truck Center -- Texarkana (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Tucson (AZ)

Rush Truck Center -- Tulsa (OK)

Rush Truck Center -- Tyler (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Waco (TX)

Rush Truck Center -- Winter Garden (FL)

Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality

Management District

San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control

District

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control

District

Science & Environmental Health Network

Shorepower Technologies

South Carolina Coastal Conservation League

South Carolina State Ports Authority

South Coast Air Quality Management District

South Shore Clean Cities, Inc. (Northern Indiana)

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

Southern Environmental Law Center

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision

Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency

State of Wisconsin Office of Energy

Independence

Stay Environmentally Focusd’ Foundation

Student Xpress

Sunrise Bus Company

Sunrise Southwest, LLC

Sunrise Transportation

Sustainable Energy Alliance of Long Island

Sustainable Monroeville

Sustainable Pittsburgh

Tacoma Rail

Tampa Port Authority

Tennessee Environmental Council

The Port Authority of NY & NJ

The TransGroup, LLC

Thomas Built Buses, Inc.

Toxics Information Project

Truck Manufacturers Association

Umicore Autocat USA Inc.

Union of Concerned Scientists

United Motorcoach Association

Utah Clean Cities

Virginia International Terminals, Inc

Virginia Port Authority

Voices for Earth Justice

Volvo Group North America

WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Inc.

(WE ACT)

Western Agricultural Processors Association

Western N.C. Physicians for Social

Responsibility

WI. Engine Manufacturers & Distributors

Alliance

Women’s Voices for the Earth

Worcester Regional Environmental Council

Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority