Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) at a Meetig on aine Vet Homelessness at Hanaford Hall, USM, Portland a Few Years Ago.

President Trump Stumbles as he Climbs the Steps to Air Force 1- He’s been Doing a Lot of Stumbling Lately – Tariffs on Canada, War on Iran, Mail in Ballott Mess, His Temper Tantrom over the Naming of the Kennedy Center, Etc. =-  Symbolic of His Second Term as President – Where His Possing Numbers are Underwater with Little Chance of them Floating Back to the Top..

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) applauded the passage of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting public health and lowering the cost of replacing older, heavily polluting diesel engines.  Introduced by Pingree and a coalition of others, the bill reauthorizes the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program (DERA) through fiscal year 2029 at $100 million annually.

First created through the Energy Policy Act of 2005, DERA provides grants and rebates that help schools, local governments, small businesses and fleet operators replace or upgrade older diesel-powered trucks, buses, construction equipment and other heavy-duty engines according to a press release received from Congresswoman Pingree’s office this morning.

“Diesel fuel powers Maine’s boats, ferries, buses, construction trucks, agricultural equipment and more, but emissions from older diesel engines have serious consequences for public health and the environment.  Since its passage in 2005, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act has helped replace or retrofit nearly 100,000 diesel engines, vehicles and pieces of equipment and deliver cleaner air and billions in public health benefits to communities across the country — including here in Maine,” said Congresswoman Pingree.  “With Trump’s reckless war in Iran increasing volatility in global energy markets, and with the threats posed by climate change looming larger every day, Congress took a much-needed step today to reauthorize DERA so that we can continue to pursue solutions that help reduce our dependence on foreign energy and incentivize American consumers and businesses to embrace more efficient technologies.  Reauthorizing this proven program will help us make progress on both fronts, while reducing pollution and improving air quality in Maine and across the country.”

Diesel engines are known to produce an outsized share of pollutants that contribute to asthma, heart and lung disease, and premature death – but remain in service across the economy due to the significant cost of replacement.  Since its creation, DERA has helped retire these outdated engines sooner by lowering the cost of cleaner replacements, returning up to $30. in public health benefits for every federal dollar invested.  The program’s voluntary, technology-neutral model allows communities to choose the upgrades that best suit their needs.

Since 2008, the program has improved imore than 76,900 vehicles and engines nationwide.