Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) in Florida

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (department) is an awardee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) State Grant Program. The department plans on consistent participation in the DERA State Grant Program as part of Florida’s Diesel Emissions Mitigation Program (DEMP). This page is dedicated to informing prospective project partners about the DEP’s DERA activities, eligibility requirements and up-to-date information about funding opportunities.

Past Funding Opportunities

DERA State Grant - Marine Vessel/Engine and Electric Switcher Locomotive Replacement

On Aug. 27, 2021, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced in the Florida Administrative Register (FAR) that it is currently offering grants for two types of projects eligible under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reductions Act (DERA). Funded projects will mitigate mobile sources of emissions and protect air quality. The funding will be for the replacement of eligible whole marine vessels, marine diesel engines, and the replacement of diesel switcher locomotives with zero-emission switchers. Marine vessel and switcher locomotive projects are only eligible if the primary activity of the project unit is to provide services to Florida ports and rail yards. All funded projects must be completed within the strict parameters of the state budget and federal funding. 

Applications were due by email to the department’s Division of Air Resource Management at VWMitigation@FloridaDEP.gov by Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, at 5 p.m. E.T.

Awards are subject to availability of funds as allocated under EPA’s DERA program and state budget authority. Priority will be given to projects that provide high emissions benefits, can be completed in a timely manner, and will encumber significant amounts of available funding. If the number of eligible projects submitted exceeds the available funding for this notice, the department reserves the right to partner with applicants in the future. The department reserves the right to reject any and all bids or accept minor irregularities in the best interest of the state of Florida. See below for the application worksheets for marine vessel engine replacement and port drayage truck replacement projects.

• For more information about eligibility and cost-share requirements, continue below in the "DERA Background and Resources" section to download the 2021 DERA Program Guide.

Marine Vessel and Engine Replacement

Funding is available to replace marine vessel or marine diesel engines with new vessels and diesel engines that meet current emission standards. DEP will reimburse the owner up to 25% of the total cost of a marine vessel replacement or up to 40% of a marine diesel engine replacement. DEP can fund several marine vessel and diesel engine replacement projects. 

• Marine Vessel/Engine Replacement Application Worksheet

Electric Switcher Locomotive

Funding is available for the replacement of Diesel Switcher Locomotives and Diesel Switcher Locomotive engine projects. DEP will reimburse up to 45% of the total cost of a zero-emission switcher locomotive replacement or 60% of a zero emission repower of a diesel switcher locomotive. DEP can fund up to three of these projects. 

• Switcher Locomotive Replacement Application Worksheet

DERA Background and Resources

In 2005, the U.S. Congress passed the DERA as an amendment to the 2005 Energy Policy Act, Title VII, Subtitle G. Federal funding for DERA was reauthorized in 2010 and in subsequent years. The DERA funding program was designed as a voluntary means to reduce diesel emissions from existing diesel engines that were not manufactured to meet more stringent post-2006 emission standards. EPA is responsible for overseeing and distributing funds under the DERA program.

• For more information, visit EPA’s Clean Diesel and DERA Funding webpage.

There are two main areas of funding for the total DERA funds appropriated by Congress each year: 70% administered directly by EPA for national competitive grant and rebate programs and 30% from state allocated DERA funding, administered by states. The approximately 30% of DERA funding allocated to the state DERA program is divided among all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. DEP's Division of Air Resource Management is responsible for implementing and overseeing Florida’s allocation of DERA funding.

DERA State Grant Program funding must be used to develop grant, rebate or low-cost revolving loan programs to fund diesel emissions mitigation projects. Examples of projects funded through the state’s program include verified idle reduction retrofits on long-haul trucks, marine engine replacements and replacements of older school buses.

• For information about the department's past projects, please visit the department's DERA Past Projects page.

Project eligibility requirements are provided by EPA in the 2021 DERA Program Guide. Specific requirements for currently owned diesel engines and replacement engines and fuel types are all in the DERA Program Guide. Interested entities are encouraged to download the linked DERA Program Guide to identify the eligibility status of the units you own. DERA requires all units that are replaced to be permanently disabled, or scrapped, by cutting a 3-inch hole in the engine block and cutting the chassis in half. Specific information about the scrapping requirement is provided in the DERA Program Guide.

The department has 15% of funds from the Environmental Mitigation Trust for State Beneficiaries (Mitigation Trust) to be used as the state's match to EPA funding for the DERA State Grant Program. For information about the Mitigation Trust and the Volkswagen Settlement, please visit the Volkswagen Settlement webpage.

• For information about the department's Diesel Emissions Mitigation Program and funding opportunities, please visit the DEMP webpage.

Recent Florida Projects

The most recent cycle of DERA State Grant Program projects concluded before the end of the state fiscal year in June 2020. These projects used a mix of EPA funding and Mitigation Trust Funds. The next cycle of DERA projects will be administered under the department's Diesel Emissions Mitigation Program. The department is pleased to provide the following information about our completed 2019 and 2020 DERA State Grant Program projects.

Marine Vessel Diesel Engine Replacement Program - 2019

Yacht Starship Dining Cruises out of Port Tampa replaced two 42-year-old unregulated diesel propulsion engines and one 25 year-old unregulated auxiliary diesel engine with all new units. The department provided the maximum allowable 40% cost share for the $348,454 project. Using EPA’s Diesel Emissions Quantifier (DEQ), the department calculates that this project yields over 5 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) reductions annually, which is an over 55% reduction from the old engines. 

Port Drayage Truck Replacement Program - 2019

Seaboard Marine out of Port Miami replaced three diesel port drayage trucks, all at least 20 years old, with three new diesel port drayage trucks. DEP provided the maximum allowable 50% cost share for the $311,267 project. Using EPA’s DEQ, the department calculates that this project yields over 2 tons of NOx reductions annually, which is an over 96% reduction from the three old units.

Marine Vessel Diesel Engine Replacement Program - 2020

Key West Express operating out of Lee, Collier and Monroe counties replaced four 65 liter Tier-1 propulsion engines with all new Tier-3 units. DEP provided the maximum allowable 40% cost share for the $4,520,018 project, totaling $1,808,007 in department funding. Using EPA’s DEQ tool, the department calculates that this project yields over 115 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) reductions annually, an emissions benefit of 58% over the four replaced propulsion engines. 

Port Drayage Truck Replacement Program - 2020

JZ Expedited Trucking out of Duval County replaced one 14-year-old diesel port drayage truck with an all new diesel port drayage truck. The department provided the maximum allowable 50% cost share for the $174,437 project. Using EPA’s DEQ, the department calculates that this project yields over a half-ton in nitrogen oxides (NOx) reductions annually, an emissions benefit of nearly 89% over the replaced port drayage truck.

Port Drayage Truck Replacement Program - 2020

Seaboard Marine out of Port Miami replaced four diesel port drayage trucks, all at least 21 years old, with four new diesel port drayage trucks. The department provided the maximum allowable 50% cost share for the $400,000 project. Using EPA’s DEQ, the department calculates that this project yields just under one ton of nitrogen oxides (NOx) reductions annually, an emissions benefit of nearly 95% over the replaced port drayage trucks.