Successful Clean Air Program Has Reduced Emissions in School Buses, Commercial Trucks and Construction Equipment in All 50 States
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement today that it was awarding $30 million for clean diesel projects is another important step in reducing emissions primarily through the use of clean diesel technology, said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.
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The funding for the Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) and State Clean Diesel Grant Program are designed to replace, retrofit or repower older diesel-powered engines like marine vessels, locomotives, trucks and buses.
"We are pleased EPA is supporting clean diesel projects with this important funding," Schaeffer said. "DERA has been one of the most bipartisan and successful clean air programs in the past decade.
"The combination of new clean diesel technology and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel has helped to reduce diesel emissions to near zero levels for new buses, trucks and off-road equipment. Now the older engines that continue to power our economy will also benefit from the upgraded engines and filters provided by DERA."
DERA Has Support of Republicans and Democrats
Schaeffer also noted that DERA is one of the few environmental programs that has sustained strong support from both Republican and Democrats in Washington, D.C. and state capitals throughout the nation.
"DERA's effectiveness has never been questioned," he said. "The bipartisan Diesel Emissions Reduction Act has allowed communities in all 50 states to upgrade older diesel school and transit buses, commercial trucks, locomotives and other equipment with modern and cleaner diesel engines and air filters.
"In addition, DERA is widely supported by more than 500 environmental, health, industry, labor and government organizations.
"A major reason DERA is supported by both political parties is because it is extremely cost effective. EPA has found that $1 in government investment returns $13 worth of health and environmental benefits to the American people.
New Clean Diesel Technology Can Dramatically Reduce Emissions from Older Diesel Engines
"There are an estimated 11 million existing older diesel engines and equipment that do not have the most recent clean diesel technology which has reduced emissions by 97 percent. The U.S. needs a two-fold approach based on a solid economic plan that gets the nation's contractors and truckers to invest in the new generation of the cleanest and most fuel efficient diesel engines ever made.
"Second, we need a fully-funded DERA program that provides assistance to owners of existing engines and equipment that still have productive value but would benefit from modernizing and upgrading. The new clean diesel engines and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel have dramatically reduced emissions and helped improve air quality throughout the country," Schaeffer said. "But it's vital that we use this new technology to help clean up the older diesel engines still in use."
ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.
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Available Topic Expert: For information on the listed expert, click appropriate link.
Allen Schaeffer
http://www.profnetconnect.com/allen.schaeffer
Contact:
Steve Hansen
shansen@dieselforum.org
301-668-7230 (o)
202-355-3664 (c)
SOURCE Diesel Technology Forum