The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the 2008 Northeast Diesel Collaborative (NEDC) Emissions Reduction Grant Program, is providing $229,703 to the Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) of southern New Hampshire to install a combination of advanced pollution control and idle reduction technologies on 89 municipal vehicles. These funds will also be used to cover the incremental cost of biodiesel fuel for the entire fleet of city vehicles.
The grant will allow the MTA to install diesel oxidation catalysts on 72 city-owned vehicles, from the highway, water and parks, and recreation departments, reducing particulate matter emissions by approximately 20%. In addition, MTA will fund the retrofit of seven transit-style school buses with closed crankcase ventilation systems, reducing in-cabin emissions associated with the engine’s crankcase. They will also install idle reduction devices on an additional ten school buses. Finally, the grant will cover the incremental cost of a 20% blend of biodiesel (B20) fuel for the entire fleet of city vehicles.
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 southern New Hampshire, and we applaud the Manchester Transit Authority 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 New Hampshire are estimated at 11.6%.
“This grant will not only fund the purchase of emissions reduction technology but also includes a robust public awareness campaign that partners with local public schools to educate both students and parents about the importance of reducing idling in their personal vehicles,” said Mike Whitten, Operations Planning Manager, Manchester Transit Authority. “In order to achieve long term air quality improvements, it is essential that we change both the technology we use and our own mind sets with regard to emissions.”
This grant is part of nearly $2 million in grant funds being awarded by the EPA through the 2008 NEDC Emissions Reduction Grant program.
NEDC is a partnership of public and private organizations working to improve air quality by taking action to reduce diesel pollution.