Cited as
one of the few actions that will have immediate environmental benefits in all
50 states, the national organizations that represent America's state legislatures,
county officials and mayors endorsed the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)
and requested that Congress reauthorize the program for another five years.
In recent
weeks, DERA reauthorization has been endorsed at separate national meetings by
the:
§ National Conference of State Legislatures
§ National Association of Counties
§ U.S. Conference of Mayors
"From our
state capitals to our city halls, America's elected officials are speaking with
a united voice in asking Congress to reauthorize this successful program," said
Allen Schaeffer, the executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, a
non-profit organization that is leading the effort to promote clean diesel technologies.
"The fact
that the three largest national organizations representing these officials
support DERA is a tribute to its success over the past five years and the need
to continue upgrading the existing 11 million older diesel engines. These
officials have seen firsthand the environmental benefits of DERA and understand
the important work that still must be done to address air quality issues."
DERA was
created by Congress in 2005 to improve America's air quality by upgrading
and modernizing older diesel engines and equipment through engine replacements
and the application of new exhaust emissions filters and catalysts. These
retrofits reduce emission in older engines by up to 90 percent.
U.S. Senators Thomas Carper (D-DE) and
George Voinovich (R-OH) are drafting legislation to reauthorize DERA for five
more years. Without reauthorization, it will expire in 2011.
Nationally,
DERA is supported by a unique coalition of more than 150 environmental and
public health organizations, and industry representatives.
The Diesel
Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean
diesel technologies. Forum members include engine and vehicle manufacturers,
diesel fuel refiners, and manufacturers of emissions control devices. For
more information about the Forum, visit www.dieselforum.org.