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 Commonwealth of Kentucky, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1.73 million to the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (DEP). 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.
The funds provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 will go to the Commonwealth’s Clean Diesel Program The Kentucky DEP will use the ARRA funds to expand its Clean School Bus Grant Program, a program that provides funding for installation of verified retrofit technologies on school buses. Kentucky DEP plans to fund diesel oxidation catalysts with closed crank ventilation on 229 buses, diesel particulate filters with closed crank ventilation on 45 buses, diesel mullet-stage filters with closed crank ventilation on 50 buses, and diesel particulate filter cleaning devices on 3 buses.
Reduction of diesel particulate emissions is particularly significant for school children because a student can spend hundreds of hours per year in and around buses. Results from recent studies show that school bus retrofits can reduce “in cabin” concentrations of harmful toxics by 50% or more. This project will also reduce emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter.
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 Campaign funding program.
For information on EPA’s implementation of the ARRA in Kentucky, visit http://www.epa.gov/recovery
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