From AAIA Capital Report

The Senate on Dec. 16 approved the Diesel Emission Reduction Act of 2010 (DERA) to reauthorize grants to state governments for programs such as engine retrofits aimed at reducing emissions from existing diesel engines. Passed as an amendment to a bill related to the safe disposal of drugs, the legislation would authorize $100 million per year for grants for fiscal years 2012 through 2016. The program was originally established under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which authorized $200 million in grants for diesel engine emissions reduction annually for five years. That program is set to end this fiscal year. 

Sponsor of the bill, Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio,) said in a statement that, “The authorization of DERA promotes sound environmental and economic policy and I am so proud the Senate passed its reauthorization before I leave Washington at the end of this Congress.” The bill now goes to the House where prospects for passage, with the limited time remaining in the session, are not good.