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$1.5 Million Available for Clean Diesel Projects in Northeast; EPA Solicits Applications for Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program and Clean School Bus USA

Release Date: 05/09/2006
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(New York, NY) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to announce the availability of nearly $1.5 million for clean diesel projects under the 2006 Northeast Diesel Collaborative Emissions Reductions Grant Program. EPA is soliciting applications under two national clean diesel programs: the Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program and Clean School Bus USA. Projects may include, but are not limited to, a variety of diesel emissions reductions solutions such as add-on pollution control technology, engine replacement, idle reduction technologies or strategies, or cleaner fuel use.

“For EPA, few things are as high a priority as reducing harmful diesel emissions, and now I’m happy to say that we’re putting our money where our mouth is,” said EPA Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg. “Starting with next year, new diesel engines, in conjunction with the widespread use of cleaner fuel, will be 90% cleaner than existing diesel engines. The existing fleet of diesel engines on the road today can operate much cleaner. This funding allows us to complement those regulatory efforts by cleaning up diesels that are already on our roads, rails, at our construction sites and in our harbors.”

Eligible Voluntary Diesel Retrofit projects include the following categories: marine vessels and ports, construction and locomotives. EPA is accepting applications from states and local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Consortia, international organizations, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals and other public or private non-profit institutions. EPA is accepting applications for Clean School Bus USA projects from state and local governments (including school districts), local and federally recognized Indian governments, and non-profit organizations. All projects must benefit the air quality in the geographic areas that include New York, New Jersey and the New England states. The deadline for applying is June 29, 2006.

More information, including a copy of the Request for Proposals: epa.gov/ne/eco/diesel/2006nedcrfp.html or contact Faye Blondin at (212) 637-3713.

Information about EPA’s Voluntary Diesel Retrofit program: epa.gov/cleandiesel/index.htm#voluntary.

Information about EPA Region 2's Clean School Bus USA program: epa.gov/region02/cleanschoolbus/index.html.

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