EPA Awards $3.5 Million in Grants for Particulate Matter Research

(Washington, D.C. – April 3, 2009) EPA awarded four grants to universities to research the relationship between the chemical composition of particulate matter (PM) and health effects. PM is a complex mixture that consists of direct emissions and reaction products formed in the atmosphere.

“These EPA Science To Achieve Results grants will build bridges between two different research communities – epidemiology and air quality engineering,” said Lek Kadeli, EPA’s acting assistant administrator for the Office of Research and Development. "The collaboration of expert researchers in both fields could result in major advances in data, methods, and tools available to link health problems with sources and components of air pollution."

Grants were awarded to:

- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga, $899,956
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., $893,439
- University of California, Davis, Calif., $900,000
- University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, $899,401

The health effects of exposure to ambient PM include premature death, aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, aggravated asthma, acute respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, and increased risk of heart attacks.

More information on grants: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/07innovpm/

EPA Provides $1.35M to Improve Air Quality in Massachusetts with Clean Diesel Projects

(Boston, Mass. – Feb. 26, 2009) – Significant funding is being delivered to several Massachusetts projects that will help improve air quality in the Commonwealth.

In a ceremony at the Massachusetts Port Authority’s (Massport) Boston Fish Pier, EPA announced more than $1.35 million in funding to help reduce pollution from diesel vehicles and equipment operating in New England. The grants are being issued to three Massachusetts-based organizations, and were made available by EPA through the 2008 Northeast Diesel Collaborative (NEDC) Emissions Reduction Grant Program.

The funding announced by EPA is going to: Massport ($400,000) to install dockside power stations at the Boston Fish Pier; Environmental Defense Fund ($400,000) to introduce hybrid trucks to New England fleets; and Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) ($535,250) to retrofit regional locomotives.

"Reducing diesel emissions is an effective way to improve air quality and help people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory problems,” said Ira Leighton, acting regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. “These projects will help bring cleaner air to Massachusetts citizens.”

Diesel engines contribute significantly to air pollution, especially in urban areas. The fine particles in diesel exhaust pose serious health risks, including aggravating heart or lung disease. People with existing heart or lung disease, such as asthma, older adults, and children are most sensitive to the health effects of fine particles. The Northeast has some of the highest asthma rates in the nation, including a childhood asthma rate above 10 percent in all six New England states. Lifetime asthma rates in children in Massachusetts are estimated at 14.6 percent.

“The MassCleanDiesel program aims to reduce the adverse health effects of diesel pollution on our residents. Emissions from thousands of school and transit buses, and off-road construction vehicles are now being cleaned up,” said Laurie Burt, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). “The EPA grants will add to the Commonwealth’s efforts to retrofit locomotive diesel engines and support clean hybrid technologies for diesel trucks.” The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) will receive $400,000 through the NEDC Emission Reduction Grant Program to install dock-side power at the Boston Fish Pier. “Shore power” allows vessels to “plug in” to an electrical power source instead of using diesel generators while at the berth. Currently, shore power is available to only four vessels when docked at the Fish Pier. More than a dozen vessels regularly dock there, and need to run their diesel generators many hours per day to supply power for off-loading, maintenance and essential on-board systems. The project is expected to reduce diesel generator "idling" by 95 percent. In addition, the fuel and cost-savings data yielded by this project will be important in helping other fishing ports in the Northeast decide whether and how to undertake similar improvements.

"We are pleased to partner with the EPA on this program that will reduce the impact of our port operations and help us be more environmentally friendly," said Michael A. Leone, Massport’s Port Director. "The grant will significantly reduce diesel emissions, and allow fishermen to conduct their business in a more energy efficient and cost effective manner."

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) will receive $400,000 and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) will receive $535,250 for projects that reduce diesel emissions. EDF will use funds to establish the Northeast Hybrid Truck Consortium. Through the Consortium, EDF will work with communities and organizations in all six New England states to replace at least twelve pre-2007 heavy-duty diesel vehicles with hybrid versions. EPA funds will pay for up to 25 percent of the cost of the new vehicle.

"Together, Environmental Defense Fund, NESCAUM, EPA and MassDEP are jump-starting the hybrid truck market in New England," said Gwen Ruta, vice president at Environmental Defense Fund. "In tough economic times, these clean, fuel-sipping trucks make sense for our lungs, for the climate, and for our wallets."

The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM), in partnership with the Providence & Worcester (P&W) Railroad, will install auxiliary power units on 17 locomotives built between 1969 and 1988. Installation of these units will reduce unnecessary idling which will lessen the amount of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) released into the air. Reducing fuel consumption will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1,700 tons per year. In addition, P&W Railroad will continue to fuel their locomotives with ultra low sulfur diesel fuel ahead of the 2012 mandate, further reducing harmful emissions.

“The Providence and Worcester Railroad is a significant regional freight rail line with operations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York. As such, a diesel emissions reduction project involving P&W has long been a top priority for the Northeast Diesel Collaborative,” said Paul Miller, Deputy Director of Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management. “We are very pleased that EPA has seen fit to fund this particular project.”

Today’s announcement is part of nearly $2 million in grant funds being awarded in New England by the EPA through the 2008 NEDC Emissions Reduction Grant program.

The recent passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) makes available an additional $300 million nationwide under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Program for grants and loans to help regional, state and local governments, tribal agencies, and non-profit organizations with projects that reduce diesel emissions and create jobs. A Request for Applications will be issued in the coming weeks. ARRA gives preference to projects that can be started and completed expeditiously. Prospective grant applicants can begin preparations now for the upcoming competitions.

NEDC is a partnership of public and private organizations working to improve air quality by taking action to reduce diesel pollution. The NEDC was established in 2005 by Regions 1 and 2 of the U.S. EPA, NESCAUM and the states and territories of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Puerto Rico joined in 2007 and the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2008.

For more information:

Northeast Diesel Collaborative - http://www.northeastdiesel.org/

EPA Diesel in New England information - www.epa.gov/region1/eco/diesel/index.html

National EPA Clean Diesel Campaign - www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/grantfund.htm

University of Iowa Receives $899,401 Research Grant to Develop Better Air Quality Estimates for U.S. Cities

EPA's National Center for Environmental Research has awarded a $899,401 grant to the University of Iowa for a research project that will develop techniques to identify the most harmful fractions and sources of air particulate matter in major U.S. cities, including Chicago.

The University of Iowa's grant for "Innovative Approaches to Particulate Matter Health, Composition, and Source Questions" comes from EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program. STAR engages the nation's best scientists and engineers in targeted research that complements EPA's intramural research program and those of EPA's partners in other federal agencies.

Through the grant, University of Iowa researchers will work with partners at the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, to build on recent advances in air quality modeling, data assimilation and satellite remote sensing to develop improved estimates of air particulate matter for major U.S. cities. Once developed, the estimates will be made available for public download by other researchers, and will be used in pilot-scale epidemiological studies.

"EPA Region 7 congratulates the University of Iowa for its success in the STAR grant competition," said Acting Regional Administrator William Rice. "This collaborative research project holds great promise for new discoveries to benefit atmospheric science as a whole."

STAR provides research grants and graduate fellowships in numerous environmental science and engineering disciplines. Learn more at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/guidance/star_faq.html

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Diesel Retrofits Funded in Economic Stimulus Bills

Clean Diesel Technology Brings Economic and Environmental Benefits; Webinar Scheduled February 12, 2009

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Congress crafts the final text of its economic stimulus package, diesel vehicle and equipment owners are anticipating the benefits of upgraded equipment and cleaner air thanks to the inclusion of $300 million in funding for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) in both the House and Senate versions of the bill.

“This funding will bring immediate benefits to the economy by supporting jobs while simultaneously improving air quality – a winning solution for all Americans,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. “Modernizing and upgrading existing diesel engines and equipment is one of the most proven and cost-effective uses of public funds,” Schaeffer added. “From manufacturers to equipment dealers and service technicians, the diesel industry is gearing up to produce and install this equipment to make older equipment run cleaner.”

In anticipation of the passage of the economic stimulus package, the Diesel Technology Forum is offering a webinar on the DERA program Thursday, February 12 on “How to Prepare a Competitive Application”. EPA representatives will discuss how proposals are evaluated and two previous award winners will provide case studies of their experiences. A recorded version of the webinar and all presentations will be posted on the DTF website for those unable to participate. Visit http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dieselforum.org%2Fwebinars&esheet=5894095&lan=en_US&anchor=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dieselforum.org%2Fwebinars&index=1 to register, and for more information.

According to independent research done by Keybridge Associates, DERA is likely to generate approximately $6 of increased economic output for every $1 of federal funding. This economic impact is likely to be greatest in the auto parts manufacturing and heavy-duty truck manufacturing sectors, which have sustained job losses at nearly 9 and 7 times the national rate respectively.

Last month more than 300 industry, environmental and governmental organizations signed a letter to congressional leaders requesting funding for DERA, citing more than $116 million in unfunded projects after the program’s first year. The program also enjoys support from both Republicans and Democrats, as evidenced by its original passage by a vote of 92 to 1 as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

To date only $49.2 million has been provided for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. This additional $300 million will substantially help reduce emissions from the nation’s estimated 11 million diesel engines. DERA was originally enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and authorized for $1 billion over five years.

DERA funds can be awarded for any one of the five options available to reduce emissions, also known as the 5 Rs: refuel (using cleaner diesel fuel); rebuild (engine upgrades); repower (new engine); replace (new equipment); and retrofit (emission filters/catalysts). These solutions can be applied to both on-road and off-road diesel vehicles and equipment.

“From California to Connecticut, from school buses to skid steer loaders, our members have national experience with retrofitting a wide variety of engines, vehicles and equipment,” said Schaeffer. “Clean diesel technology provides efficient, clean power affecting virtually all sectors of the economy and all communities across the country.”

Wisconsin Clean Diesel Grant Program

Diesel fleet operators can save money and improve air quality thanks to a new federally-funded grant program in Wisconsin.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has launched the Wisconsin Clean Diesel Grant Program to help reduce diesel emissions from both public and private vehicle fleets statewide. The program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Diesel Emission Reduction Act. Funds are limited and will be divided between on-road and off-road projects.

Eligible on-road fleets may apply for funding of idle reduction and/or retrofit devices. Eligible off-road fleets may apply for funding of engine repowers, idle reduction and/or retrofit devices. Each grant award has a pre-set limit. Engine repowers and idle reduction projects require a minimum 50 percent direct match from the applicant.

Applications must be postmarked by Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. For information regarding eligibility, program details and application materials, visit: Wisconsin Clean Diesel Grant Program.

EPA Awards $274,914 Grant to Philadelphia Clean Air Council

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $274, 914 Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) grant to the Philadelphia Clean Air Council’s Southeast Philadelphia Port Communities project.

The CARE program is a competitive grant program that offers communities an innovative way to address the risks from multiple sources of toxic pollution in their environment. Through CARE, communities create partnerships with residents, businesses, schools, local governments and nongovernment organizations to come up with solutions geared to reduce toxic pollutants. In addition to providing funding, EPA also provides technical assistance and resources.

The Clean Air Council received a previous CARE grant in 2005. The new grant will continue the work on the Port Environmental Task Force. A significant portion of the work plan will include measurable toxic reductions at Packer Terminal and the nearby community in southeast Philadelphia.

The Clean Air Council, in partnership with southeast Philadelphia community leaders and port operators, has identified idling vehicles as a major concern.

Southeast Philadelphia, rich in racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity, is a densely populated, congested urban area with significant educational, economic, and quality of life challenges. The Clean Air Council takes a comprehensive approach to improving air quality, working to strengthen the community’s ability to identify toxic threats and facilitating the creation of collaborative, common sense strategies for addressing these threats.

In 2008, EPA made $2.5 million available to 18 communities through the CARE program. Applications for the 2009 CARE grants are due March 16.

CARE Program: www.epa.gov/care

Environmental Management Studies Fellowships Offered by EPA

The National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS) fellowship program provides students an opportunity to participate in project directly related to their field of study.

The purpose of the NNEMS program is to provide students with practical research opportunities and experiences in the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) program and regional offices and in its laboratories; increase public awareness of and involvement in environmental issues; encourage qualified individuals to pursue environmental careers; and help defray the costs associated with the pursuit of academic programs related to the field of environmental protection, such as pollution control, science, engineering, technology, social science, and specialty areas. Fellowships are organized into the following five categories: environmental policy, regulation, and law; environmental management and administration; environmental science; public relations and communications; and computer programming and development.

A NNEMS fellowship is available to any associate, undergraduate, or advanced student who meets the general requirements, as well as those requirements identified for associate, undergraduate, and advanced students. At a minimum, all applicants must be a citizen of the United States, its territories or possessions, or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residency; be enrolled for academic credit at a two- or four-year college or university, or at a distance-learning institution accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; and be pursuing an educational program directly related to pollution control or environmental protection for the duration of the fellowship. Students selected for a fellowship receive a grant award in the form of a stipend. Grant awards reflect an individual student's level of education, as well as the location and duration of the fellowship.

The deadline for applications is February 2, 2009.

For more info: NNEMS

EPA Awards Community Grants Across Country

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that around $3 million will be available in 2008 to support community-based partnerships to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.

EPA anticipates awarding CARE cooperative agreements in two levels. Level I cooperative agreements range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities which have established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk reduction activities, and become self-sustaining. In 2007, $3.4 million in cooperative agreements were made available to more than 20 communities through the CARE program, a community-based, community-driven program that builds partnerships to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources. Examples of projects include addressing abandoned, contaminated industrial and residential properties in Gary, Ind., dealing with agriculture-related toxics in Yakima County, Wash., and reducing air emissions from diesel trucks and buses in Woonsocket, R.I. Since 2005, the grants to reduce toxics in the environment have reached almost 50 communities in over 20 states.

Applications for the CARE grants are due March 17, 2008. Eligible applicants include county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. EPA will conduct three conference calls, Jan. 18, Feb. 11 and 27, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process.

See the Source:
EPA - info on CARE program, previous recipients, applying for 2008 grants

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