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Pennsylvania Receives Economic Recovery Funding from U.S. EPA to Reduce Diesel Emissions and Create Jobs

Release Date: 04/09/2009
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543, [email protected]

PHILADELPHIA (April 9, 2009) - - 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 Pennsylvania, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has allocated the state $1.73 million. 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.

“This is how we create new, green jobs while we protect human health and the environment,” said EPA Acting Regional Administrator William C. Early. "These cost-effective projects will help Pennsylvania speed its journey to recovery, bolster the economy and create new, green jobs that will improve air quality.”

The funds provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 will go to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Diesel Reduction program. Eligible projects include engine idle reduction and retrofit technologies, engine replacement, vehicle replacement, and clean diesel emerging technologies.

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