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Hawaii Receives Economic Recovery Funding from U.S. EPA to Reduce Diesel Emissions, Create Jobs

Release Date: 04/08/2009
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, [email protected]

Clean diesel projects reduce early deaths, asthma attacks, other health problems

(04/08/09) SAN FRANCISCO – In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, reduce diesel emissions and protect human health and the environment for the people in the State of Hawaii, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1.73 million to Hawaii Department of Health’s Environmental Health Administration. The funding can be used to support clean diesel projects and loan programs to address the nation’s existing fleet of over 11 million diesel engines.

"These cost-effective projects will help Hawaii speed its journey to recovery,” said EPA Acting Region 9 Administrator Laura Yoshii. "This funding will bolster the state's economy and create new, green jobs that will improve air quality in Hawaii.”

The funds provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 will go to the state's clean diesel grant program. Hawaii plans to implement a clean school bus project under this program, replacing many of the oldest diesel buses in operation and retrofitting up to 400 school buses.

In addition to helping to create and retain jobs, the clean diesel projects would reduce premature deaths, asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, lost work days, and many other health impacts every year.

Under ARRA’s State clean diesel funding program, $88.2 million is divided equally through a noncompetitive allocation process, meaning that all 50 states and the District of Columbia will receive $1.73 million.

States, local governments, non-profits and tribal agencies can also compete for a portion of $206 million under ARRA’s National clean diesel funding program.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009 and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at Recovery.gov.

For information on EPA’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in Hawaii, visit https://www.epa.gov/recovery

For information about EPA’s clean diesel initiatives, visit https://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel

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