PA Environment Digest Blog: DEP Awards $2.9 Million For Clean Diesel Transportation To Improve Air Quality

On April 23, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of $2.9 million to seven applicants for the PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program, which provides financial incentives and support for fleet owners and operators to reduce air pollution from their vehicle fleets.

“Transportation is one of our biggest areas of impact for improving air quality,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “This grant program addresses the pollution caused by diesel engines. By advancing Pennsylvania’s clean transportation infrastructure, we reduce harmful emissions of nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide across Pennsylvania. Replacing heavy diesel vehicles with new low- to zero-emissions equipment technology will help mitigate air pollution from transportation sources.”

Vehicles produce 47 percent of nitrogen oxides in the air, leading to the formation of ground-level ozone. Air pollutants can affect the health of children, older people, people with lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema, and those who work or are active outdoors.

The PA State Clean Diesel Grant program supports proposing impactful fleet transitions, especially those planning cost-effective, zero-emission technology replacement projects that provide air quality improvements to high traffic areas and Environmental Justice communities.

Among the awarded projects include battery-electric vehicle (BEV) delivery trucks, a plug-in electric metal recycling materials handler, BEV terminal tractors, several clean diesel forklift and school bus replacements, and electrified parking spaces (EPS) at a regional, refrigerated freight distributor.

This year the PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program will provide a total of $2,936,953 to seven applicants aimed at reducing their diesel emissions footprint while operating in the Commonwealth.

Click Here for a list of grants awarded.

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