Basic Information

National Clean Diesel Campaign

EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) promotes clean air strategies by working with manufacturers, fleet operators, air quality professionals, environmental and community organizations, and state and local officials to reduce diesel emissions.

As a result of EPA regulations, diesel engines manufactured today are cleaner than ever. Recent diesel rulemakings have focused on light- and heavy-duty highway vehicles, nonroad diesel equipment, locomotive and marine engines, and large ocean-going vessels.

Reducing Emissions From Existing Diesel Engines

Because diesel engines can operate for 20 to 30 years, millions of older, dirtier diesel engines are still in use. EPA offers many strategies and programs to help make these engines operate more cleanly, and funding to help build diesel emission reduction programs that improve air quality and protect public health. EPA recommends a wide range of emission reduction strategies for diesel vehicles, vessels, locomotives, or equipment. These include:

• Install diesel retrofit devices with verified technologies
• Maintain, repair, rebuild, repower engines
• Replace older vehicles and equipment
• Improve operational strategies
• Use cleaner fuels including natural gas and propane

Clean Diesel Funding

As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (551 pp, 1.3MB), the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) authorizes funding of up to $200 million annually for FY2007 through FY2011 to help fleet owners reduce diesel emissions. Under this act, EPA has developed four programs

• The National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program awards competitive grants to fund projects that implement EPA or CARB verified and certified diesel emission reduction technologies.
• The National Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program awards competitive grants for projects that spur innovation in reducing diesel emissions through the use, development and commercialization of emerging technologies. Up to 10 percent of the national funds may be spent on emerging technologies.
• SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program issues competitive grants to establish national low-cost revolving loans or other innovative financing programs that help fleets reduce diesel emissions.
• State Clean Diesel Grant Program allocates funds to participating states to implement grant and loan programs for clean diesel projects. Base funding is distributed to states using a specific formula based on participation, and incentive funding is available for any states that match their base funding. Currently all 50 States and the District of Columbia are participating.

Impacts of Diesel Emissions

Human health, environment, and global climate are all impacted by diesel emissions.(Air Pollution (PDF) (5 pp, 900K, About PDF)

• Human Health - Emissions from diesel exhaust can lead to serious health conditions like asthma and allergies, and can worsen heart and lung disease, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
• Environment - Diesel engines emit particulate matter (soot); nitrogen oxides which contribute to the production of ground-level ozone (smog) and acid rain; hydrocarbons; air toxics; and black carbon . These emissions can damage plants, animals, crops, and water resources.
• Global Climate - Climate change affects air quality, weather patterns, sea level, ecosystems, and agriculture. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from diesel engines through improved fuel economy or idle reduction strategies can help address climate change, improve our nation's energy security, and strengthen our economy.
• Environmental Justice - Minority and disadvantaged populations may receive disproportionate impacts from diesel emissions. Activities of the National Clean Diesel Campaign further EPA’s commitment to reduce health and environmental harm from diesel emissions in all communities throughout the country.