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EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson Announces Over $16 million in Recovery Act Dollars to Bolster Clean Air in Washington

Release Date: 12/03/2009
Contact Information: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, 206-225-8127, [email protected] Wayne Elson, EPA Office of Air, Waste and Toxics, 206-553-1463, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – The head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, today announced more than $16 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to local agencies for projects that will reduce diesel emissions in Washington State. Administrator Jackson made the announcement at a press conference with a representative of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, one of the grant recipients, at Bell Harbor in Seattle, Washington. Not only will these clean diesel projects create jobs and boost local economies, the cleaner air will also help reduce premature deaths, asthma attacks and other respiratory problems, lost work days, and many other health impacts for the people of Washington.

“These Recovery investments strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce health risks for more than four million Washingtonians who live and work in areas exposed to dangerous diesel exhaust,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Seattle’s ports are critical hubs for job creation in the local, national and global economies. We’re sending a clear message that we can protect our health and the environment at the same time we grow the economy.”

The grants in the announcement will cover several projects:

• Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
  • $739,577 for retrofitting engines on tugboats operated by FOSS Marine that will reduce particulate matter, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions
  • $2,534,511 for retrofitting locomotive engines owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe
• Washington Department of Ecology
  • $1,730,000 for cargo handling equipment at port facilities will receive partial flow filters and diesel oxidation catalysts
• Cascade Sierra Solutions:
  • $907,072 for heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles to be retrofitted with aerodynamic technology
  • $9,000,000 for heavy-duty diesel trucks to get replacements, exhaust retrofits, repowers, idle reduction technology, aerodynamic technology and new tires
• Port of Tacoma:
  • $1,488,080 to install a shore-side electrical connection system and alternative maritime power at the Totem Ocean Trailer Express Terminal. Two ocean-going vessels will be retrofitted and TOTE will add certified ship-side technology.