The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) still has grants available for diesel emission reduction programs in Iowa and is encouraging counties, cities, school districts and transit agencies to apply. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allocated nearly $200,000 dollars in 2016 for the DNR to use in the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) effort to encourage cleaner air in Iowa. DERA grants can be used to cover up to 100 percent of costs for updating exhaust control devices, 40 percent of fuel-conversion projects, 40 percent for engine repowers or 25 percent of vehicle replacements. Questions about project eligibility can be submitted to Jim McGraw at the address included with this story on our website with answers posted to the DNR Website on Wednesday, June 7. Applications must be turned in to the DNR by Monday, June 19 at 4 p.m. to be eligible for consideration. Projects can begin no earlier than July 18 and must be completed by February 28, 2018. This is the last cycle the DNR will be accepting DERA applications. Beginning in October, the Iowa Department of Transportation will be the agency managing these grants. A link to the fully DERA grant requirements can be found included with this story on our website.
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Jim McGraw, Iowa DNR
jim.mcgraw@dnr.iowa.gov
