ARB Unveils Proposed Rules to Reduce Big Rig Pollution

Regulations expected to prevent 9,400 premature deaths, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gases; more than $1 billion in funding assistance available for business owners

SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board today made available today for public comment its latest draft version of two landmark regulations that, if adopted at the Board's December hearing, will clean up emissions from the estimated one million heavy-duty diesel trucks that operate in California beginning in 2010.

The first proposed regulation will require truck owners to install diesel exhaust filters on their rigs starting in 2010, with nearly all vehicles upgraded by 2014. Owners must also turn over engines older than the 2010 equivalent according to a staggered implementation schedule between 2012 and 2022.

Further, long haul truckers must install fuel efficient tires and aerodynamic devices on their trailers that lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy.

The state is offering truck owners more than a billion dollars in funding opportunities to help with the cost of the proposed diesel rule. Funding options include Carl Moyer grants, which are designated for early or surplus compliance with diesel regulations; Proposition 1B funds, for air quality improvements related to goods movement; and AB 118, which establishes a low-cost truck loan program to help pay for early compliance with the truck rule.

Diesel emissions are toxic, associated with cancer, and can also exacerbate cardiovascular and respiratory ailments. The truck regulation is expected to save 9,400 lives between 2010 and 2025, and greatly reduce health care costs. These benefits have a value of $48 to $69 billion. The cost of installing the trailer greenhouse-gas-reducing technologies will be quickly paid back through lower fuel use.

"This diesel regulation is absolutely vital to the well-being of all Californians, but we know there are financial challenges," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "The Governor, legislature and voters have approved more than a billion dollars in loans and grants to truckers and business owners to help them comply with this crucial public health measure. If passed, these regulations will ultimately help improve both public health and the economy, especially when you account for the reduced health care costs we will see thanks to fewer hospital visits, mortalities and work days lost caused by exposure to big rig diesel exhaust."

ARB staff held dozens of workshops and met with hundreds of business owners and other stakeholders over the last 18 months.

Flexible funding options exist and the ARB is working to create more so that this regulation can be fully implemented at the lowest cost and we can all benefit from vastly improved air quality.
Without this regulation, California will not be able to meet U.S. EPA-mandated air quality standards and deadlines, and could subsequently lose billions of dollars in federal highway funding.

To provide flexibility, the diesel regulation is structured so that owners can choose from among three compliance options to meet regulation requirements. There are exceptions to the regulation, including low-use vehicles, emergency and military tactical vehicles, and personal use motor homes. School buses would be subject only to requirements for reducing diesel particulate matter and not for engine replacement.

To better assist truckers, ARB is evaluating ways to integrate these programs so that truckers can get a grant and a loan at the same time, minimizing paperwork and significantly reducing the monthly payments for a new truck loan.

Heavy-duty big rigs are the largest remaining source of unregulated diesel emissions, responsible for 32 percent of the smog-forming emissions and nearly 40 percent of the cancer-causing emissions from diesel mobile sources (other diesel emitters include trains, off-road vehicles and marine engines). The rules are expected to impact more than 400,000 trucks registered in the state, as well as about 500,000 out-of-state vehicles that do business in California, and over a half million trailers.

To reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality and public health, the ARB adopted a Diesel Risk Reduction Plan in 2000 and has already passed regulations addressing urban buses, garbage trucks, school bus and truck idling, stationary engines, transport refrigeration units, cargo handling equipment at ports and rail yards, off-road vehicles, port trucks and other sources.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.

The CleanAIR PERMIT™ Filter Receives Verification for Level 3 Plus from California Air Resources Board

Santa Fe, NM – October 21, 2008 – CleanAIR Systems, Inc., manufacturer of emissions control technology for diesel and natural gas engines, was granted Level 3 Plus Verification on October 7th by the California Air Resource Board (ARB) for the company’s PERMIT™ Filter. The designation of “Plus” added to the original product verification certifies that the PERMIT™ Filter does not increase nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions beyond the 2009 limit of 20% over the baseline for stationary engines.

Originally verified five years ago, the PERMIT™ Filter reduces emissions of diesel particulate matter by greater than 85 percent for prime and emergency generators. According to dated ARB Executive Orders, CleanAIR’s PERMIT™ Filter was the first diesel particulate filter to comply with stringent Air Resources Board requirements, receiving Level 3 Verification on June 6th of 2003 and becoming the earliest technology to ensure real emission reductions by ARB standards and guarantee a durable emissions control system, compatible with various engines and applications.

The newly awarded “Plus” extends CleanAIR’s verification to meet the following ARB amendment:
“As of January 1, 2009, all verified diesel retrofits sold and installed must comply with the 2009 nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions limit as defined in the Verification Procedure. Warranty and In-Use Compliance Requirements for In-Use Strategies to Control Emissions from Diesel Engines, title 13, California Code of Regulations, sections 2700-2710.”

Exposure to nitrogen dioxide can cause serious health issues such as acute lung injury. Unfortunately, many diesel particulate filters on the market today actually increase NO2 while in use. With this in mind, ARB is attempting to limit NO2 emissions with the current ruling and will withdraw verification at the beginning of 2009 if a technology does not meet the specified limit.

For complete verification information on the PERMIT™ diesel particulate filter and engine operating criteria, Executive Orders and Attachments can be found on the CleanAIR website at: http://www.cleanairsys.com/about/carb-verification.htm.

Founded in 1993, CleanAIR Systems has developed and brought to market eleven new technologies to the field of air pollution control, including the company’s proprietary PERMIT™ diesel particulate filter characterized by a non-washcoat catalyst. CleanAIR has sales representatives in the United States, Sweden, Chile, Mexico, Taiwan and Puerto Rico. This past June, Caterpillar, the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, selected CleanAIR Systems as CAT’s strategic alliance partner of choice for emissions control products, supplying retrofit technology for Caterpillar prime and back-up generators.

To read more about CleanAIR Systems, visit http://www.cleanairsys.com/.

Online Tools Make it Easy to Track Power Plant Emissions

With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can find information on air emissions from power plants. EPA has issued a new edition of its Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) and updated Power Profiler to help you better understand the environmental impacts of electricity use. With today's updates, eGRID and Power Profiler now contain 2005 emissions data.

eGRID is a comprehensive air emissions database of electric power plants in the United States, including emissions data on nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and mercury. The new edition of eGRID now also provides emissions data on two greenhouse gases, methane and nitrous oxide.

Power Profiler is a user friendly online tool that helps consumers see how their individual energy use is impacting air emissions. Using data from eGRID, Power Profiler calculates how much nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide are emitted from electricity use.

Through eGRID, you can:
- Use emission rates for calculations based on electricity use (carbon footprinting, greenhouse gas inventories);
- Find out which plants emit the most and least pollution in the country;
- Examine the emissions and fuel mix of different electric generating companies; and
- Use the information for academic papers and research projects.

Power Profiler allows you to:
- See the air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions impact of electricity used in your home or business;
- See the fuel mix of electric generation in your region of the country;
- Compare these figures to national averages; and
- Learn how to reduce emissions through greater energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.

More about eGRID: http://www.epa.gov/egrid
More about Power Profiler: http://www.epa.gov/powerprofiler

EPA Finalizes Revisions to the 2005 Hazardous Waste Combustor NESHAP Rule

EPA is amending the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants rule for new and existing hazardous waste combustors. These standards implement the Clean Air Act by requiring hazardous waste combustors to meet emission standards reflecting the application of the maximum achievable control technology. The rule is the final action regarding the eight issues for which EPA granted reconsideration in September 2006. The revisions also address comments received in response to a September 2007 notice.

As a result of this reconsideration process, EPA is:
- Revising the new source particulate matter standards for cement kilns and incinerators that burn hazardous waste to better reflect the performance of the best controlled source over time. The change in the standards resulted from consideration of additional performance data;
- Amending the particulate matter detection system provisions and revisions to the health-based compliance alternative provisions for total chlorine;
- Identifying the emissions standards EPA intends to defend in pending litigation and is responding to public comments on a related Sept. 27, 2007 notice; and
- Making several corrections and clarifications to the rule.

The revised provisions are effective immediately and do not change the Oct. 14, 2008, compliance date established by the October 2005 final rule. The final rule should be published in the Federal Register in about two weeks.

More information is available at: http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/tsd/td/combust/finalmact/index.htm

U.S. Air Quality Standards for Lead Now 10 Times Stronger

EPA dramatically strengthened the nation's air quality standards for lead, improving public health protection, especially for children. The new standards tighten the allowable lead level 10 times to 0.15 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air (ug/m3).

"America's air is cleaner than a generation ago," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "With these stronger standards a new generation of Americans are being protected from harmful lead emissions."

This decision marks the first time the lead standards have changed in 30 years. EPA strengthened the standards after a thorough review of the science on lead, advice from the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, and consideration of public comments. The previous standards, set in 1978, were 1.5 ug/m3.

EPA's action sets two standards: a primary standard at 0.15 ug/m3 to protect health and a secondary standard at the same level to protect the public welfare, including the environment.

The existing monitoring network for lead is not sufficient to determine whether many areas of the country would meet the revised standards. EPA is redesigning the nation's lead monitoring network, which is necessary for the agency to assess compliance with the new standard.

No later than October 2011, EPA will designate areas that must take additional steps to reduce lead air emissions. States have five years to meet these new standards after designations take effect.

More than 6,000 studies since 1990 have examined the effects of lead on health and the environment. Some studies have linked exposure to low levels of lead with damage to children's development, including IQ loss.

Lead can be inhaled or can be ingested after settling out of the air. Ingestion is the main route of human exposure. Once in the body, lead is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and can affect many organ systems including children's developing nervous systems. Lead emissions have dropped nearly 97 percent nationwide since 1980, largely the result of the agency's phase-out of lead in gasoline. Average levels of lead in the air today are far below the 1978 standards. Lead in the air comes from a variety of sources, including smelters, iron and steel foundries, and general aviation gasoline. More than 1,300 tons of lead are emitted to the air each year, according to EPA's most recent estimates.

Since September 2006, EPA has strengthened air quality standards for lead, ground-level ozone and particulate matter.

For more information about lead in air visit: http://www.epa.gov/air/lead

California’s Plan to Fight Climate Change Will Also Help Grow Economy

Proposed Scoping Plan sets California on course for a clean-energy future

The California Air Resources Board released its proposed plan to reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The plan is slated to go before the Board for approval at its December meeting.

“Today marks another step forward in California’s fight against global warming. This plan is good for the environment and public health, and it sets California on a course toward a more secure and sustainable economy,” said Mary Nichols, Chairman of ARB.

“Our comprehensive approach steers California away from its dependence on fossil fuels and accelerates the state’s necessary transition toward a clean-energy future.”

The plan constitutes the cornerstone of a concerted effort by the Schwarzenegger administration to address climate change.This includes SB 375 (Steinberg), a bill that promotes smart growth and provides incentives for creating attractive, walkable and sustainable communities and revitalizing existing communities. Another climate change initiative is AB 3018 (Nunez), a bill that establishes the Green Collar Jobs Council to develop a comprehensive array of programs, strategies and resources to address the workforce needs that will accompany California’s growing green economy. Governor Schwarzenegger signed both bills last week.

Nichols added that the state’s coordinated approach “serves as an example for the nation in forward thinking about our economic future. California’s plan will drive innovation, create thousands of new jobs, and provide a wealth of opportunities for California to export technology and help fight global warming around the world.”

Development of the Scoping Plan is a central requirement of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Nuñez, Pavley), that calls on California to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Governor Schwarzenegger signed the bill into law in September 2006.

In June, the Air Resources Board released its Draft Scoping Plan. The proposed plan released today reflects additional analysis, and public input that ARB has received over the past several months. The plan is built on the principle that a balanced mix of strategies is the best way to cut emissions and grow the economy in a clean and sustainable direction.

An important component of the plan is a cap-and-trade program covering 85 percent of the state's emissions. This program will be developed in conjunction with the Western Climate Initiative which recently released its own proposed design structure, encompassing seven states and four Canadian provinces that have committed to cap their emissions and create a regional carbon market.

Additional key recommendations of the plan include strategies to enhance and expand California’s proven cost-saving energy efficiency programs; implementation of California’s clean cars standards; increases in the amount of clean and renewable energy used to power the state; and, implementation of a low carbon fuel standard that will make the fuels used in California cleaner.

The plan proposes full deployment of the California Solar Initiative, high-speed rail, water-related energy efficiency measures, and a range of regulations to reduce emissions from trucks and from ships docked in California ports. There are also measures designed to safely reduce or recover a range of very potent greenhouse gases — refrigerants and other industrial gases — that contribute to global warming at a level many times greater per ton emitted than carbon dioxide.

Other measures include a ‘margin of safety’ — a new feature that provides additional reductions to account for measures in uncapped sectors that do not, or may not, achieve the estimated emission reductions in this plan.

The plan also includes an emphasis on efforts to enable small business to participate in the benefits of the plan and expanded discussions on public health, green buildings, offsets, the Zero Emissions Vehicle program and international initiatives.

The plan recommends targeted fees to fund the state's long-term commitment to AB 32 administration.

Following approval of the plan by the Board in December, the ARB will begin developing detailed strategies to implement all of the recommended measures.

The Proposed Scoping Plan and all appendices can be viewed at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/

NYS Clean Diesel Regulations Show Promise

Regulations Will Reduce Harmful Effects of Diesel Pollution

A coalition of environmental and public health groups today urged adoption of regulations drafted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) which implement aspects of the New York State Diesel Emission Reduction Act of 2006. As specified in regulations published in the New York State Register on October 8, on-road and off-road heavy duty diesel vehicles which are owned or under contract with New York State must use ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel, and be fitted with best available retrofit technologies by December 31, 2010.

"Through these regulations, Governor Paterson and Commissioner Grannis have taken real steps to clean up a real problem, New York's dirty air," said Michael Seilback, Vice President, Public Policy & Communications for the American Lung Association of New York. "It is imperative that New Yorkers show their support for these regulations by attending and testifying at the public hearings across the state."

The Diesel Emission Reduction Act of 2006 required the Commissioner of DEC to enact rules governing which technologies shall be considered best available retrofit technologies.

DEC plans to hold the following public hearings:
-- Nov. 24, 2008, 1 p.m. at DEC Annex, Region 2, 11-15 47th Ave., Hearing Rm. 106, Long Island City
-- Nov. 25, 2008, 1 p.m. at DEC Reg. 8 Office, Conference Rm., 6274 E. Avon-Lima Rd., Avon
-- Nov. 26, 2008, 9 a.m. at DEC, 625 Broadway, Public Assembly Rm. 129, Albany

"Environmental Advocates of New York applauds Governor Paterson and Commissioner Grannis for taking this monumental step to clean-up our air. Dirty diesel emissions account for a major portion of the pollution endangering our environment and the health of our families. We urge the Department of Environmental Conservation to finalize rulemaking without delay, as every day that passes without curbing diesel emissions is another day of increased rates of asthma in children and the further degradation of our natural resources," said Jackson Morris, Environmental Advocates of New York.

"We salute Governor Paterson and Commissioner Grannis for helping New York lead by example," said Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "Diesel emissions are a significant health and environmental concern, and New Yorkers can breathe a little easier knowing that cleaner air is on the way."

"Children and seniors will breathe easier because of Gov. Paterson's and Commissioner Grannis' leadership on moving forward with the proposed regulations," said Cecil Corbin-Mark, deputy director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice. "Cleaning the fleet of on-road and off-road vehicles under the State's control will lead to less asthma and fewer deaths for our most vulnerable."

"Stronger diesel regulations will result in a reduction of harmful emissions including nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and air toxics, which contribute to serious public health problems. These emissions are linked to thousands of premature deaths, asthma attacks, lost work days, and numerous other health impacts every year. CCE commends the stronger regulations proposed by the DEC to address these serious issues," said Adrienne Esposito, Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

"Once these sensible regulations are adopted, all New Yorkers will be able to breathe easier," said Gordian Raacke, executive director of the not-for-profit organization Renewable Energy Long Island (RELI). "We applaud Governor Paterson and the DEC for proposing these regulations and hope that they will be adopted without delay."

"89 percent of New York State residents breathe air not meeting federal health-based standards," said Isabelle Silverman, legal fellow with Environmental Defense Fund. "Because available retrofit technologies work on virtually every engine application to trap over 85 percent of soot, EDF supports rules requiring the highest possible soot reduction."

The law established the following schedule for installing the retrofit technologies: not less than 33 percent of all vehicles by December 31, 2008; not less than 66 percent of all vehicles by December 31, 2009; and, not less than 100% of all vehicles by December 31, 2010.

Air pollution problems and their attendant health threats have become serious statewide issues. Millions of New Yorkers are at-risk. In fact, according to the EPA, 89 percent of the state's population lives in a county where air quality does not attain federal health standards. In addition, the EPA has declared the counties of Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, Kings, Richmond, New York, Bronx, Westchester, Rockland and Orange in "non-attainment" for fine particles.

The high air pollution levels in New York State make people sick and even cut lives short. Diesel pollution has been shown by a wealth of science to trigger asthma attacks; is linked to heart attacks, cancer and even premature deaths in seniors; and is associated with ambient levels of both ozone and fine particles.

According to the New York State Department of Health, the typical hospital bill for a person on Medicaid who is hospitalized for an asthma attack is $9,500, which is more than a diesel particulate filter (DPF) would cost. Thus, if each DPF installed provides enough clean air to avoid just one asthma-related hospital admission, then the legislation pays for itself. Furthermore, this law will increase economic opportunities for companies in New York State who currently make diesel emission reduction technologies.

The American Lung Association's State of the Air 2008 report found that from Buffalo to Bayport, and from Staten Island to Saratoga millions of New Yorkers are being forced to breathe unhealthy air. For most of the state, there truly is no escape for New Yorkers whose health is impacted by air pollution.

Diesel emissions remain a particularly troublesome health threat. They are a contributing factor to the ozone problems facing so many New York communities and are a big reason why the New York City metro area has such a problem with fine particles. In fact, New York State has the highest number of deaths and the greatest rate of disease associated with diesel exhaust particles. The New York City metropolitan area leads the nation in total deaths, cancer deaths, and heart attacks associated with diesel emissions. Unlike many areas of the country, the health effects associated with diesel pollution in New York are even greater than those associated with power plant fine particle pollution.

An interactive map showing air quality findings in New York, by county, is available at http://www.alany.org/. For information on how to comment on these regulations, contact Michael Seilback of the American Lung Association of New York at (631) 265 3848 x16.

Commercial Diesel Vehicle Owners Warned of Idling Restrictions - Grace Period Over

SACRAMENTO: Air Resources Board staff hit the road this week to begin enforcing recently enacted anti-idling program for diesel engines that will reduce particulate matter emissions throughout the state.

ARB staff and local air quality officials throughout the state will enforce the idling regulations by monitoring sleeper berths and commercial on and off-road diesel vehicles where they operate. First time violations, idling for greater than five minutes, will receive a minimum civil penalty of $300.

Subsequent penalties can be from $1,000 to $10,000. Owners, renters or lessees will be responsible for the penalty.

"Turning these engines off should be second nature," said ARB chairman, Mary Nichols. "It saves money, reduces pollution and protects the health of the driver and everyone working or living around the engines."

Regulations limiting idling of on-road commercial diesel-engine vehicles to five minutes have been in effect for several years now and for sleeper berth trucks since January of 2008. The regulations addressing the idling of off-road diesel vehicles became effective in June of 2008. Industries were given a grace period allowing them to inform themselves and their staff of the new requirements.

In a case where an off-road vehicle is observed idling for more than five minutes, enforcement officials will contact the operator and site supervisor to determine the reason. If the reason is not exempted, as some clauses of the regulation allow, and the instance is a first time violation, a $300 per day citation will be issued to the owner, renter or lessee of the vehicle.

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and over 40 other known cancer-causing compounds. In 1998, California identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant based on its potential to cause cancer, premature death, and other health problems.

Each year, based on California emissions in 2000, diesel particulate matter contributes to 2000 premature deaths, thousands of hospital admissions, asthma attacks and other respiratory symptoms and lost workdays. Diesel engine emissions are responsible for the majority of California's known airborne cancer risks, cause visibility reduction and potentially contribute to global warming.

This fall the ARB will consider further measures to reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks. Over the past 10 years ARB has adopted regulations affecting cargo-handling equipment, transport refrigeration units, truck idling, off-road equipment, harbor craft, port drayage trucks, onboard incineration, and ships at-berth. ARB's cleaner fuel requirements for on-road diesel trucks, railroad and ship engines have reduced pollution around rail yards and ports.

For more information on ARB's efforts to address diesel emissions go here: http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/diesel.htm .

The public can report an idling violation by contacting the Air Resources Board at 1-800-END-SMOG (1-800-363-7664) or online at http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/complaints/complaints.htm .

Clean Diesel Projects Get $1,378,160 from EPA

EPA Region 6 announced on Oct. 8th a total of $1,378,160 in grant money for clean diesel projects in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma under the State Clean Diesel Program. Grants from the State Clean Diesel Program are direct, non-competitive assistance awards designed to allow states to build programs that reduce diesel emissions from existing fleets.

For additional information, visit The State Clean Diesel Program. Click Here.

EPA and New York Slate One Million for Clean Diesel Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) have slated more than $1 million to clean up old dirty diesel engines across the state. New York received more than $600,000 from EPA and has leveraged an additional $413,448 in state funding. Under this grant, the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) – a key partner in EPA's Clean School Bus USA program - will receive $857,705 to retrofit school buses with a combination of innovative clean technologies. Additionally, $175,915 will be awarded to NYSDEC to help purchase hybrid diesel electric marine engines for their new patrol boat used to safeguard the Hudson River.

“Diesel engines can be very dirty and they contribute significantly to air pollution,” said Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator. “But they don’t have to be dirty - we can put controls on old engines and use cleaner engines in our new equipment to drastically cut pollution from these sources.”

NYSDEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said, "As technologies to improve air quality continue to be developed, it is important to find ways to make these methods available to our communities. DEC is pleased to receive these funds to help improve our patrol boat fleet through the use of hybrid technology and we also applaud the support being provided to protect school children around the state from harmful emissions."

School districts can request funding and help from NYSERDA, which has helped nearly 90 school districts put pollution controls on more than 3,000 school buses. Using the grant money, NYSERDA will help organizations reduce their diesel emissions by installing diesel oxidation catalysts, closed crankcase filtration systems, diesel particulate filters and by applying idle reduction measures. The NYSDEC will use its grant money to pay for two new hybrid 3.2 liter (250 horsepower) diesel marine engines with electric drives for their new 36-foot enforcement patrol boat. The clean engines reduce diesel emissions and save 8,000 gallons of fuel per year.

Today’s announcement is only a portion of funding for clean diesel projects under the $50 million National Clean Diesel Campaign. The funding, newly available this year, will support grants to help save fuel and lower greenhouse gas and diesel exhaust emissions from the existing fleet of 11 million diesel engines.

The EPA’s new heavy-duty highway and non-road diesel engine standards will take effect over the next decade, and will significantly reduce emissions from new engines. However, the standards apply only to engines manufactured in the year 2007 and beyond. The 11 million diesel engines in use today will continue to pollute unless emissions are controlled with innovative technology and/or cleaner fuels. The EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign assists fleets with controlling these diesel emissions from the 11 million legacy diesel engines with financial and technical assistance. Today’s funding for New York is part of $14.8 million that has been awarded across the nation this year under the State Clean Diesel program.

EPA is working collaboratively with New Jersey to reduce emissions of harmful diesel exhaust. In 2005, regions 1 and 2 of the U.S. EPA, the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management and the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont established the Northeast Diesel Collaborative (NEDC). NEDC is a partnership of public and private organizations working to improve air quality by taking action to reduce diesel pollution. Puerto Rico joined in 2007 and the U.S. Virgin Islands joined in 2008. Today, the collaborative combines the expertise of public and private partners in a coordinated regional initiative to reduce diesel emissions and improve public health in the eight northeastern states as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

See the Source:

EPA Clean Diesel Efforts

Northeast Diesel Collaborative

EPA Awards Over $290,000 to TCEQ for the Texas Clean Diesel Program

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $295, 320 to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). These funds will support ongoing efforts by TCEQ to improve air quality throughout Texas. TCEQ will focus specifically on reducing emissions from school buses by retrofitting school buses with add-on control technology to reduce emissions of particulate matter.

See the Source:
EPA Grants
EPA Region 6