Political Quotes

“I am joined by my colleague, Senator Voinovich, in support of the passage of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2010, DERA. The folks of Ohio and Delaware sent us to Washington to find ideas that will work, ideas we can all agree on to make our country even better. An idea that works is the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act or DERA. The DERA program is one of the best actions our government has taken to improve air quality and help States and localities meet air quality standards. First authorized in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, DERA has provided funding for the modernization of our Nation's old diesel fleet in the United States through voluntary national and State-level grant and loan programs. Since its enactment in 2005, DERA has provided significant public health benefits, improved our national energy security, and helped create jobs. Currently, DERA helps clean up more than 14,000 diesel-powered vehicles and equipment across the country, which has reduced emissions while employing thousands of workers who manufacture, sell or repair diesel vehicles and their components in each State. The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that there are still millions of older diesel engines now in use and need to be replaced or retrofitted. To meet this need, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2010 authorizes the continuation of this successful program for 2012 through 2016.”