Today's announcement of $5.6 million in awards for emerging
technology projects to help reduce diesel emissions was applauded by the Diesel
Technology Forum (DTF), an advocate for the advancement of clean
diesel technologies.
"Today's announcement is of special interest in that it
awards important funding for emerging technologies that reduce emissions of
nitrogen oxides," said Allen Schaeffer, the executive director of the
DTF. "With the upcoming announcement by EPA of new clean air standards for
ozone, additional and emerging solutions for reducing these emissions will
be of even greater importance. More than 600 counties throughout
the nation face the distinct possibility of being in violation of the new air
standards.
"Technology has already helped us make impressive gains for
clean diesel. Tremendous progress has been made in virtually eliminating
emissions from new diesel engines, which are 98 percent lower in emissions of
both nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The emphasis on marine and
locomotive projects is also important in using new diesel technology to reduce
emissions.
"Investments in emerging technologies and research like
those named today are a vitally important part of the Diesel Emissions
Reduction Act (DERA). They spur innovation and investigation into new
approaches to reduce emissions from existing engines.
The EPA announced the recipients of the emerging
technologies grants are:
§ City of Los
Angeles Harbor Department for $731,000 for a hybrid
crane with a small diesel generator combined with a battery to be used at
ports.
§ California Air Resources Board for nearly $1.2
million for a NOx reducing device for locomotive engines.
§ University
of Houston for $1 million
for NOx reducing technologies installed on school buses.
§ Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for nearly $1.2 million
to use a seawater scrubber, which removes pollution from large ship engines.
§ South Coast Air Quality Management District for $1.5
million for an exhaust capturing mechanism used on a variety of ships while at
port.
National Coalition of Environmentalists, Industry and
Government Agencies Seek Reauthorization of DERA By Congress
Schaeffer noted that the EPA estimates that there is a $13
economic and environmental benefit for every $1 spent on upgrading and
modernizing diesel equipment.
"Without a doubt, DERA has proven to be both an
environmental and economic success for the American taxpayer and federal
government," Schaeffer said. "But there's a problem: DERA will disappear
next year if it isn't reauthorized by Congress.
Nationally, DERA is supported by a unique coalition of more
than 150 environmental and public health organizations, industry
representatives, and state and local government associations including the
American Lung Association and National Association of Clean Air Agencies.
"We are urging Congress to reauthorize the DERA program this
year," Schaeffer said. "There is still too much to be accomplished for our
air quality to allow such a successful program to come to an end before we have
completed our mission."
11 Million Older Diesel Engines and Equipment Would Benefit
From Modernization
DERA was created in 2005 to improve air quality,
particularly in those counties that are in non-attainment with the EPA's
particulate matter and ozone standards. Since then, DERA has provided
funding for clean air projects in every state in the nation to assist in
meeting federal air standards. By applying new emissions control devices,
repowering with newer engines, or other approaches, emissions of existing
diesel engines can be cut by 25-90 percent.
The EPA will be announcing a total of $120 million in clean
diesel grants throughout this summer.
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization
dedicated to promoting clean diesel technologies. Visit www.dieselforum.org.