AGC Chapters to Invest Nearly $3.7 Million to Cut Diesel Emissions

AGC of Kentucky and Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP) have won $2 million and $925,000 respectively in federal grants under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.  In addition, the Chapters have leveraged more than $725,000 in matching and in-kind contributions by pulling together an impressive array of project partners.  Both Chapters will use the funds to cut diesel emissions from construction equipment. Specifically, AGC of Kentucky will use $2 million in federal funds, plus an additional $466,000 in local contributions, to help construction companies in Kentucky retrofit and repower nearly 100 pieces of heavy, off-road diesel equipment by employing the latest diesel emission reduction technologies.  The AGC Chapter also will use the funds to promote the adoption of anti-idling practices at 100 construction sties statewide.  This project is estimated to reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by a combined 72.55 tons per year.  Click here for the EPA Region 4 press release. Similarly, CAWP will use $925,000 in federal funds, plus an additional $260,833 in local contributions, to help construction companies in western Pennsylvania retrofit 23 pieces of heavy, off-road diesel equipment using engine repowers, upgrades and diesel particulate filters.  It is estimated that the various diesel upgrades will reduce PM by 1.8 tons per year, carbon monoxide by 14.6 tons per year, hydrocarbons by 2.09 tons per year and NOx by 9.73 tons per year.  The CAWP clean diesel project was submitted to U.S. EPA by Allegheny County Health Department in conjunction with three other local projects that will retrofit transit buses, dump trucks, and a locomotive.  Click here for the EPA Region 3 press release. AGC of America assisted both Chapters, as well as 13 others, in preparing grant applications.  National AGC and its Chapters are grateful for the assistance that the equipment dealers and engine/equipment manufacturers like Caterpillar, John Deere and Cummins provided for this effort - and particularly the assistance that Caterpillar Emissions Solutions provided in making an outside consultant available to review AGC Chapter applications. Lessons Learned Webinar  EPA has awarded a total of $156 million in clean diesel funds in an extremely fierce national grant competition authorized by the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA - part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005) and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.  The Diesel Technology Forum is hosting a Webinar (no charge) on September 2 -- Lessons Learned - A Closer Look at Recent ARRA Funded DERA Projects -- to take a closer look at the Recovery Act round of funding.  Speakers from U.S. EPA Headquarters, Illinois EPA and the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania will discuss what projects were funded, which evaluation criteria proved most difficult and how applicants can improve their chances for success in the next national diesel retrofit grant competition that EPA will hold this fall 2009.  See related story in this issue of the insert link from upcoming webinar article Observer. For more information, please contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org or (703) 837-5332.