The Northeast Diesel Collaborative (NEDC) - a partnership between the E.P.A. (EPA), state agencies, and private and non-profit groups - recently acknowledged 8 organizations for their exemplary work to reduce toxic diesel emissions. Recognizes were given to agencies and organizations from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York as part of the Northeast Diesel Collaborative Breathe Easy Leadership Program.
The collaborative, which includes the 6 New England states, New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, is working to reduce diesel emissions, enhance public health, and promote clean diesel technology. It brings together the collective resources and expertise of EPA, several state environmental agencies and private sector companies to address emissions from existing diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.
"Diesel emissions in the northeast continue to pose health risks to the residents of the region. Through the collaborative efforts of the NEDC along with those demonstrated by the 2015 award winners, northeast communities will breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office.
"Diesel engines emit large amounts of air pollution and the organizations acknowledged today are helping to reduce air pollution and provide cleaner air for everyone," said Judith Enck, E.P.A. Region two Administrator. "Older diesel engines generate significant amounts of air pollution that can make people sick. Replacing old polluting diesel engines reduces asthma attacks, heart attacks and even premature death, lost work days and many other health impacts every year."
The Northeast Diesel Collaborative Breathe Easy Recognitions are given for outstanding service in reducing air pollution to protect human health and the environment. Recognitions are particularly given to individuals or organizations whose actions best reflect the goals of the collaborative, including the retrofit and replacement of older diesel engines, the reduction of idling from diesel engines, the creation of education and outreach opportunities for diesel emission reduction strategies, and the promotion of cleaner fuels above and beyond local, state and federal requirements. For the 2015 program, emissions benefits had to have occurred within the past 2 years.
The 2015 Awardees are:
FreshDirect, LLC, New York City, N.Y.
FreshDirect is being acknowledged for their efforts to use and promote state of the art clean diesel technologies throughout its fleet of food delivery trucks. Since 2013 FreshDirect has purchased 79 all-electric, hybrid-electric, and clean diesel vehicles utilizing telematics technology to monitor driver safety, fleet maintenance and fuel economy as well as the installation of idle reduction technologies throughout its fleet. FreshDirect aims to modernize its entire fleet of over 400 vehicles with the latest in clean diesel and alternative fuel technologies and move toward a near zero emission fleet.
Massachusetts Port Authority
Building off of their successful drayage truck replacement plan that utilized a 2011 DERA plan grant in the amount $500,000 to replace 20 older diesel trucks with MY2007 or newer trucks, Massport leveraged $1M of their own money to replace an additional 40 trucks servicing the Conley Container Terminal in South Boston. Annually, the plan is estimated to remove 34 tons of NOx, 1.7 tons of PM, and 120 tons of Colorado contributing to cleaner air in and around densely populated areas of Boston.
New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Working with Local Law 77, NYC DEP requires that all diesel-powered nonroad equipment 50 horsepower or greater be equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or E.P.A. verified Tier IV device. Since 2013, over 150 pieces of equipment have been retrofitted at 115 registered construction sites throughout all 5 of New York's boroughs. NYC DEP also employs an aggressive inspection and compliance policy ensuring that all eligible vehicles are operating as intended. Through their efforts, PM emissions have been reduced by 56% on average.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation - Hwy. Division (MassDOT)
MassDOT is being acknowledged for installing Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) on 20 of its older John Deere model 544J diesel powered front-end loaders operated throughout the Commonwealth. The project, as part of the MassCleanDiesel: State Fleet Vehicle Retrofit Plan funded by an E.P.A. DERA grant, has reduced PM emissions by 90% removing 320 pounds of PM per year.
NPL Construction, Woodbridge, Conneticut
NPL is being acknowledged for their efforts in launching a proactive ide reduction campaign utilizing telematics to actively measure non-productive idle. NPL has also invested in driver education and awareness providing incentives for individual driver idle reduction performance that has resulted in significant fuel cost savings and increased vehicle life expectancy.
Milea Truck Sales, Bronx, N.Y.
Milea Truck Sales is being acknowledged for their efforts in actively promoting the environmental and business benefits of clean trucks throughout the New York City metro area. As part of the Hunts Point Clean Trucks Plan and the New York Truck - Voucher Incentive Program, Milea has helped close to 200 fleets secure $7,422,179.20 in incentives for the purchase of clean diesel, hybrid-electric and CNG trucks for both programs combined.
TH Malloy & Sons, Cumberland, R.I.; and Newport Biodiesel, Newport, R.I.
TH Malloy and Sons and Newport Biodiesel have been leaders in bringing the biodiesel market to Rhode Island. Over the past 2 years, TH Malloy used over 13,000 gallons of biodiesel in their fleet and distributed over 327,000 gallons to other fleets for on-road applications. Since 2008, Newport Biodiesel has displaced over 5M gallons of petroleum based diesel with locally produced biodiesel contributing to further reductions in carbon emissions.
Buckley Heating and Cooling, Wakefield, R.I.
Buckley Heating and Cooling is being acknowledged for utilizing propane autogas over its entire fleet of delivery trucks. Since January of 2014, they have used over 15,000 gallons of propane autogas while actively promoting the economic and emissions benefits throughout the southern Rhode Island.
More information on Northeast Diesel Collaborative: http://www.northeastdiesel.org
