E.P.A. Report: Diesel Engine Grant Plan Nets Major Air, Public Health Benefits

WASHINGTON - Clean diesel grants aimed at cleaning up old diesel engines have greatly improved public health by cutting harmful pollution that causes premature deaths, asthma attacks, and missed school and workdays, according to a new report by the E.P.A. (EPA). Since its start in 2008, the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) plan has significantly improved air quality for communities across the country by retrofitting and replacing older diesel engines.

Diesel exhaust significantly contributes to the formation of dangerous soot and smog and is likely to increase the risk of cancer. The backing from the plan has helped clean up approximately 335,200 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 14,700 tons of particulate matter (PM), which are linked to a range of respiratory ailments and premature death. The plan has also saved 450 million gallons of fuel and prevented 4.8 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions - equivalent to the yearly CO2 emissions from in excess of 900,000 cars. E.P.A. estimates that clean diesel backing generates up to $13 of public health benefit for every $1 spent on diesel projects.

"EPA is making a visible difference in communities that need it most through the backing of cleaner trucks, buses, trains, and other heavy equipment," said Janet McCabe, the EPA's Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. "The report on DERA's impact offers striking evidence that this plan is succeeding in providing Americans with cleaner air where they live and work while also cutting the pollution that fuels climate change."

Operating throughout our transportation infrastructure today, 10.3 million older diesel engines - the nation's "legacy fleet," built before 2008 - need to be replaced or repowered to reduce air pollutants. While some of these will be retired over time, many will remain in use, polluting America's air for the next 20 years. DERA grants and rebates are gradually replacing legacy engines with cleaner diesel engines. Priority is given to fleets in regions with disproportionate amounts of diesel pollution, such as those near ports and rail yards.

This 3rd report to Congress presents the final results from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and covers fiscal years 2009-2011. It also estimates the impacts from grants funded in fiscal years 2011-2013.

Additional report highlights include:

Environmental Benefits
• 18,900 tons of hydrocarbon prevented
• 4,836,100 tons of CO2 prevented - equivalent to the yearly emissions from about 900,000 cars
• 450 million gallons of fuel saved

Public Health Benefits
• Up to $12.6 billion in monetized health benefits
• Up to 1,700 fewer premature deaths
• Although not quantified in the report, NOx and PM reductions also prevent asthma attacks, sick days, and emergency room visits.

Plan Accomplishments
• 642 grants funded
• $570 million funds awarded
• 73,000 vehicles or engines retrofitted or replaced
• 81% of plans targeted to areas with air quality challenges
• 3:1 leveraging of funds from non-federal sources

For more information on the National Clean Diesel campaign, visit: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.

To access the Report, visit: http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-03/documents/420r16004.pdf

There are currently no comments for this story. Be the first to add a comment!
Click here to add a comment about this story.