May 16, 2006 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has nearly $1.5 million available for two specific types of projects centered on cutting diesel fuel emissions.
"For EPA, few things are as high a priority as reducing harmful diesel emissions, and now I'm happy to say that we're putting our money where our mouth is," EPA Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg said in a news release.
Steinberg said that starting next year new diesel engines, in conjunction with widespread use of cleaner fuel, will be 90 percent cleaner than existing diesel engines.
Mike Motzen, a mobile source team leader at EPA in New York, said Tuesday that EPA passed regulations five years ago that called for lower emissions on diesel vehicles, as well as cleaner diesel fuel. He said the cleaner diesel fuel has less sulfur.
"It allows the engine to run more cleanly," he said.
The regulation goes into effect June 1.
Steinberg said that funding the projects complements the new regulations by cleaning up diesels that are already on the roads, at construction sites and in the harbors.
He said that diesel exhaust releases particulate matter, ozone-forming nitrogen oxides and other gases such as carbon dioxide.
These pollutants may trigger asthma, lead to serious respiratory illnesses and other harmful health effects.
The two projects are the Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program and Clean School Bus USA. Projects may include, but are not limited to, a variety of diesel emissions-reduction solutions such as add-on pollution control technology, engine replacement, idle reduction technologies or strategies, or cleaner fuel use.
Eligible projects under the Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program include marine vessels, ports and construction. "It's focused on engines and equipment that isn't used on the highway," Moltzen said.
He said that while the funding is not available directly to commercial enterprises, such businesses can partner with nonprofit organizations or the government.
EPA is accepting applications from the local government, international organizations, public and private universities, hospitals, and other public or private nonprofit institutions for the Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program.
The Clean School Bus USA projects must improve the air quality.
"For example, instead of a muffler, you could use a catalytic converter," Moltzen said.
The EPA is accepting applications from local governments and nonprofit institutions for this project.
The application deadline is June 29.
Applicants in the Virgin Islands will compete with those in Puerto Rico, New York, New Jersey, and the New England region for available funding.
For more information on the two programs, visit the EPA's Web site.
For a copy of the Request for Proposals, visit EPA online or contact Faye Blondin 212-637-3713.
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