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EPA Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative invites nominations for leadership awards

Release Date: 06/13/2007
Contact Information: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 07-OPA96

(Chicago, Ill. - June 13, 2007) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5's Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative leadership group is calling for nominations of organizations for its clean-diesel leadership awards.

The annual awards program is designed to raise awareness and recognize both public and private organizations that have made significant, measurable improvements in air quality through the development and/or implementation of actions to clean up diesel emissions.

Nominees will be judged on general criteria including how they directly or indirectly reduce air pollution through clean diesel actions, if they provide a model for others to follow and positive outcomes that are continuing or sustainable. They will also be judged on whether they demonstrate effective collaboration and partnerships, have measured outcomes of a project and used innovative technology or approaches to reducing diesel emissions.

Entries will be reviewed and awardees selected by the co-chairs of the leadership group made up of EPA, Illinois EPA, Ohio Environmental Council and Cummins Inc.

Entries must include a completed application form that can be found along with submission instructions at www.epa.gov/midwestcleandiesel. They must also include a maximum two-page summary of accomplishments and estimated emission reductions. Pictures, graphics and a list of recognition supporters may also be sent with the application.

The MCDI is a collaboration of federal, state and local agencies, along with communities, non-profit organizations and private companies working together to reduce emissions from diesel engines in the Midwest.

Diesel emissions contain large amounts of nitrogen oxides and fine particles (soot). Nitrogen oxides are precursors of ground-level ozone (smog), which is a lung irritant, and fine particles can aggravate respiratory and heart diseases. Fine particles can also impact lung function and structure.