Diesel Industry Applauds California’s $250 million in Funding for Goods Movement Emissions Reductions
SACRAMENTO – The Diesel Technology Forum issued the following statement in response to the California Air Resources Board’s announcement of the first scheduled disbursement from the state’s Proposition 1B bond fund aimed at reducing emissions resulting from the movement of goods in California:
“The diesel industry applauds California’s environmental leadership and stands ready to help the state clean its air,” said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, an industry trade group with offices in Washington and Sacramento.
“Diesel emissions have been dramatically reduced in recent years with the removal of sulfur from diesel fuel, innovative engine technologies and advanced retrofit equipment that clean up older engines,” Schaeffer said. “With the aid of bonds and other innovative funding programs, the state of California leads the nation in finding ways to bring clean diesel technology to its ports, railways and highways.”
Exhaust from a clean diesel truck or bus today is so clean that it would take 60 new trucks to equal the soot emissions of one truck sold in 1988, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By 2010, truck and bus emissions levels will be near zero – a total reduction of 98% from 1988. The EPA predicts that these new trucks, once they fully replace the existing fleet, will reduce emissions of smog-forming gases nationwide by 2.6 million tons each year and cut soot emissions by 110,000 tons annually.
Because of their efficiency and durability, diesel engines are the workhorse of the U.S. economy and play a critical role in California’s transportation, agriculture, construction, mining and other key industry segments. Since diesel engines often last hundreds of thousands of miles or run for hundreds of thousands of hours, retrofitting older but valuable vehicles and equipment with many remaining years of operation can significantly improve air quality for the benefit of all citizens
“By focusing the initial $250 million of bond funds on the most cost-effective, quickest route to cleaner air, California will be able to clean the air while keeping the nation’s freight moving, maintaining jobs and helping the economy,” Schaeffer said.
The 2007-08 budget signed by Governor Schwarzenegger funded the initial $250 million of the $1 billion set aside in Proposition 1B to pay for air quality improvement projects from the movement of goods in California. Voters in November 2006 approved a nearly $20 billion bond, which, in addition to emissions reduction programs, also calls for significant investments in highway improvements, congestion relief, expanded public transit, safer rail crossings and improved anti-terrorism security at shipping ports.
Under terms of the bond, the California Air Resources Board is authorized to spend a total of $1 billion on air quality improvement projects in California's major trade corridors. These corridors include the Los Angeles/Inland Empire Region, the Central Valley, the Bay Area and the San Diego/Border Region.
CARB has begun the process of crafting an allocation plan and establishing guidelines and criteria for evaluating proposed air quality improvement projects. The Air Resources Board has proposed that priority for projects to be funded be given to:
- Replacement, retrofit or repower of older trucks used to serve ports and intermodal rail yards, as well as to transport goods and farm produce throughout the state, accelerating the modernization of the fleet already in progress.
- Replacement of older switch engines and other locomotives with new models meeting ultra-low emissions levels.
- Replacement of existing diesel engines on harbor craft with new, cleaner engines.
- Replacement of cargo handling equipment with new, cleaner models.
- Electrification of truck stops to reduce diesel idling.
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the economic importance and environmental progress of diesel engines and equipment. Forum members represent the three parts of the modern clean diesel system: advanced engines, cleaner diesel fuel and effective emissions control systems. For more information, including details on retrofit technology and the latest new vehicle equipment available, visit www.dieselforum.org.
Print This
