Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week announced the award of two Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants to the American Samoa Power Authority and Guam Environmental Protection Agency totaling $196,887. The funds will be used to replace diesel municipal trucks and school buses, and to install electric vehicle charging stations.

"By promoting clean diesel technologies, we can improve air quality and human health, advance American innovation and support green jobs," said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. "Reducing exposure to diesel pollution is important for everyone, particularly children, one of our most sensitive populations.”

Throughout October, EPA is celebrating Children’s Health Month and highlighting many programs and resources that states, territories and local partners can use to protect our nation’s children. Since Oct. 1, 2018, EPA has awarded more than $9 million in DERA funding for rebates to replace older diesel school buses with newer, cleaner vehicles.

DERA grants have supported nearly 25,000 cleaner buses across the country for America's schoolchildren. American Samoa Power Authority received $118,038 to replace four diesel trucks and install three electric vehicle charging stations.

“This grant helps us upgrade diesel-fuel trucks with cleaner burning vehicles and that's one more step toward helping us meet our commitment to a healthier, cleaner environment in American Samoa," said American Samoa Power Authority Acting Executive Director Wallon Young.

Guam Environmental Protection Agency received $78,849 to replace three diesel school buses.

EPA has implemented standards to make diesel engines more than 90 percent cleaner, but many older diesel engines remain in operation and predate these standards. Older diesel engines emit large amounts of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. These pollutants are linked to health problems, including aggravated asthma, lung damage, and other serious health problems.