RI Gets Help Transitioning From Diesel Fuel From Federal Government

RHODE ISLAND — Rhode Island received a federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for $846,343 to replace diesel-powered freight trucks and marine engines that move goods and services across the state, Gov. Dan McKee said Tuesday.

The money came from the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Program, a federal-state initiative run by EPA and state environmental agencies that protects human health and improves air quality by reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines.

"Rhode Island is a national leader in clean energy innovation and this EPA grant will further our administration’s goal of slashing greenhouse gases as we put Rhode Island on a more sustainable pathway to a future of net-zero emissions," McKee said in a statement. "Thank you to our federal partners for these valuable grant dollars, which will be put to positive use, making Rhode Island an even cleaner state."

The EPA provided state environmental officials with $507,806 to support projects that reduce harmful emissions from diesel engines. The state Office of Air Resources (OAR) then used the interest earned from VW Mitigation funds to match the EPA allocation, which awarded OAR the bonus amount of funds to focus on electric school bus applications, as well as scoring zero emissions vehicle vehicles higher than their diesel counterparts. This funding includes seven boat projects, three electric school buses, and three on-road, electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

The grant recipients include the marine vessels Barbara Ann of Campanale and Sons, Mud Turtle of George Mulligan, Briana James of James Leonard, Aces High of SilverFox Fisheries, C-Devil II Sportfishing, American Seafood, Oldport Marine Services, Newport Sport Fishing; and on-road vehicles for Westerly Public Schools, First Student, the City of Pawtucket, and Dave’s Marketplace.