(05/18/15 - ATLANTA) -
ATLANTA - The E.P.A. is announcing the availability of $1 million in grant backing for tribal applicants to establish clean diesel plans aimed at reducing air pollutants from diesel exhaust such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM), which are linked to respiratory problems.
"EPA is committed to improving air quality on tribal lands," said Chris Grundler, director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. "These grants will upgrade and replace diesel engines, resulting in lower exposure to air pollution for tribal citizens and healthier communities."
Under this grant competition, E.P.A. anticipates awarding approximately up to 5 tribal assistance agreements between $30,000 and $800,000 each. Plans may include school buses, transit buses, heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, locomotives, energy production generators and other diesel engines. Proposals from tribal applicants must be received by July 15, 2015.
Last year, E.P.A. offered the 1st tribes-only competition for clean diesel backing and awarded in excess of $925,000 to 3 tribes in Washington State to help replace older marine engines with newer, cleaner and more efficient ones.
This competition is part of the Diesel Emission Reduction (DERA) Program, which funds Plans to retrofit or replace older diesel engines. Diesel engines are extremely efficient but emit air pollutants that are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma and other respiratory ailments, lung and heart disease, and even premature death.
The DERA plan aims to achieve significant reductions in tons of diesel emissions produced and to reduce diesel emissions exposure, particularly for those living and working in areas disproportionately affected by poor air quality.
To submit a grant suggestion under this Request for Proposals, visit epa.gov/cleandiesel/prgtribal.htm.
For more information on the National Clean Diesel campaign, visit www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.
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