Additional Resources Save and Share Event News Coverage Missoulian.com Retrofit technology providing "good return on investment" for Montana NewWest.com Diesel retrofit technology makes Missoula in the business of "protecting our environment and the air we breathe."   Event Documents Program Agenda Speaker Presentations Missoula Air Quality Benjamin Schmidt Air Quality Specialist Missoula City-County Health Department   Reducing Exposure to Diesel Exhaust with Today's Retrofit Technology Conrad Schneider Advocacy Director Clean Air Task Force   Technological Advances Affecting the Diesel Industry Ken Katch Director, Emissions Solutions Group Caterpillar Inc.   National and Regional Sources of Financial Assistance Dawn Fenton Manager, Technical & Policy Programs Diesel Technology Forum Images Conference attendees get a hands-on look at retrofit technology DTF's Dawn Fenton speaks about national and regional sources of financing for retrofit programs Missoula locals show off a check for 13.5 tons, the amount of air pollution eliminated by the donation Staff from Caterpillar Inc. demonstrated the capabilities of retrofit equipment and technology Retrofit technology will be used on 14 of Missoula's public transit buses, cleaning the air from these workhorse engines.

 

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Diesel Industry Contributing to a Cleaner, Healthier Environment for Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 23, 2006

Missoula, Montana -- Environment, government and business representatives gathered in Missoula today to support a clean diesel retrofit donation that will use cutting-edge technology to vastly reduce emissions from existing diesel vehicles and help clean Montana’s air.

Senator Conrad Burns provided keynote remarks at the luncheon, where Caterpillar Inc.’s donation of retrofit technology for 14 Mountain Line transit buses was announced.

“Clean diesel retrofit technology can help improve Montana's environmental and air quality,” Burns said.

During the event, attendees learned how clean diesel technology will benefit western Montana, listened to industry and environment leaders discuss air quality benefits, heard about national and regional funding programs, and were able to view clean diesel retrofit equipment.
 
“Reducing emissions from existing diesel engines with retrofit technology provides one of the most cost-effective solutions to achieve real and immediate air quality benefits,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

Clean diesel retrofit projects have proven themselves to be one of the most cost-effective, immediate solutions for reducing key emissions. Older diesel vehicles and equipment can reduce their emissions by 25 to 85 percent with the retrofit of after-treatment devices, such as particulate traps and diesel oxidation catalysts, when used in combination with ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD), which will be available nationwide later this year.

Trucks and buses built after January 1, 2007 will meet new emission standards that will cut emissions by 90 percent from 1988 levels.

When fueling stations nationwide begin selling ULSD Oct. 15, it will signify a milestone many view as the most important environmental achievement since the introduction of catalytic converters and the removal of lead from gasoline. ULSD cuts sulfur emissions from 500 parts per million (PPM) to 15 PPM. High sulfur levels interfere with emission reducing hardware. This fuel will further enhance the cleanup effect of diesel retrofit technologies.