State and local officials call for DERA reauthorization
Senators are drafting legislation to renew the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, which provides funding to retrofit or replace school buses and other vehicles. National organizations of state legislatures, county officials and mayors request another five years.
National organizations that represent state legislatures, county officials and mayors have endorsed the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) and requested that Congress reauthorize the program for another five years.
DERA provides funding to retrofit or replace old school buses and other vehicles. It is set to expire next year, but U.S. Senators Thomas Carper (D-Del.) and George Voinovich (R-Ohio) are drafting legislation to reauthorize it.
In recent weeks, DERA reauthorization has been endorsed at separate national meetings by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
“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,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, a nonprofit organization that promotes clean diesel technologies.
“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.
More Alternative Fuels
Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Extend Clean School Bus Program Through 2031
The proposed legislation would renew federal support for cleaner school buses as districts navigate funding uncertainty, rising fuel and infrastructure costs, and fleet replacement needs.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: Electric Bus Rollouts, Bidirectional Charging & Propane Growth
See which fleets are adding electric and propane school buses as districts and operators invest in charging infrastructure, bidirectional technology, and alternative-fuel expansion.
Read More →
Nobody Told Diesel Prices They Were Supposed to Come Down
With diesel prices surging, school bus fleets have new reason to stress-test fuel costs, consider diversification, and calculate what each route really costs to operate.
Read More →
Why Gasoline School Buses Are Making a Comeback
Gasoline is gaining ground in full-size school buses. See how today’s options stack up against diesel on cost, maintenance, emissions, performance, and more.
Read More →
EPA Opens $180M DERA Funding Round for Diesel Upgrades
The 2026 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program seeks applications from eligible organizations to accelerate the retirement of legacy diesel vehicles.
Read More →
The Secret Life of an Electric School Bus Battery
Batteries change throughout years of daily routes, but degradation doesn’t necessarily mean the end. Here’s what operators should know about performance, safety, and second life.
Read More →
CALSTART and Forth Combine to Form Catalyst Mobility
The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: New Buses, Charging Hubs & Real-World EV Testing
Propane and electric school bus deployments continue to grow as districts add new vehicles, expand charging infrastructure, and gather more real-world operating data.
Read More →
Fewer Electric School Bus Models Reshape the U.S. Market
WRI’s latest buyer’s guide points to a consolidating electric school bus market, but fewer options may reflect a maturing industry rather than fewer meaningful choices for school bus operators.
Read More →
The Fuel Budget You Can Actually Predict: How Propane Autogas Keeps Money in the Classroom
Learn how propane autogas helps school districts manage fuel costs with predictable pricing, lower maintenance, and reduced emissions from former transportation director Joel Stutheit.
Read More →