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
The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye
Chairman
Committee on Appropriations
The Capitol, S-131 113
Washington, D.C. 20510
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The Honorable Thad Cochran
Ranking Member
Committee on Appropriations
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
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The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
Chairman
Subcommittee on Interior
Committee on Appropriations
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
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The Honorable Lamar Alexander
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Interior
Committee on Appropriations
455 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
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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 DERA, originally enacted in 2005 with strong bipartisansupport, was designed to reduce emissions from the 20 million existing diesel engines inuse today by as much as 90 percent.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
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