Mar 15 2008
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5's Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative today announced that it expects to award some $5 million in grants for diesel-emission reduction projects in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Project proposals will be accepted until June 12.
Projects may include, but are not limited to, a variety of diesel emission reduction solutions such as retrofit technologies, idle-reduction technologies, cleaner fuel use, engine upgrades, vehicle or equipment replacement, and creation of innovative financing programs for emission reduction projects. Engines and equipment may include school or transit buses, medium or heavy-duty trucks, marine engines, locomotives and non-road engines or vehicles.
Grant funds come from the National Clean Diesel Campaign and are authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The act authorizes EPA to offer cooperative agreements to eligible organizations on a competitive basis.
The Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative is a collaboration of federal, state and local agencies, along with communities, non-profit organizations and private companies working together to reduce emissions from diesel engines in the Midwest.
Diesel emissions contain large amounts of nitrogen oxides and fine particles (soot). Nitrogen oxides are precursors of ground-level ozone (smog), which is a lung irritant, and fine particles can aggravate respiratory and heart diseases. Fine particles can also impair lung function and structure.
Nationwide, diesel engines emit some 6.3 million tons of nitrogen oxides and 305,000 tons of soot. Reducing these emissions is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country.