The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the 2008 Northeast Diesel Collaborative (NEDC) Emissions Reduction Grant Program, is providing $205,523 to the Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) to replace three diesel solid waste collection trucks from model years 1994-98 with new compressed natural gas (CNG) models. This will result in reductions in emissions of over 75% and in petroleum fuel consumption of over 27,000 gallons.
Under this grant, CSWD will partner with refuse haulers to facilitate the early replacement of three 1998 and older diesel vehicles with new CNG models. EPA funds will cover up to 25% of the cost of the new vehicle.
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. “This project will help bring cleaner air to communities in Chittenden County, Vermont, and we applaud the Chittenden Solid Waste District for their efforts to address diesel pollution.
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% in all six New England states. Lifetime asthma rates in children in Vermont are estimated to be 11.4%.
“The lifetime cancer risk from diesel soot in Chittenden County exceeds the risk of all other air toxics tracked by the EPA combined,” said Tom Moreau, CSWD general manager. “This grant will help purchase compressed natural gas replacement vehicles for three diesel solid waste collection trucks resulting in reductions in emissions of over 75% and in petroleum fuel consumption of over 27,000 gallons.”
Other New England organizations receiving grants this year include Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Defense Fund, Manchester Transit Authority (NH), the Massachusetts Port Authority, and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM).
The new course of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) makes available an additional $300 million nationwide under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Program (DERA) 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 should 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.