DEP awards grants for clean diesel emissions

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Seven applicants for the PA State Clean Diesel Grant program were awarded a grant by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

In all, $2.9 million was awarded to seven applicants to the PA State Clean Diesel Grant program, which provides financial incentives and support for fleet owners and operators to reduce air pollution from their vehicle fleets.

“Transportation is one of our biggest areas of impact for improving air quality,” DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said in a statement. “This grant program addresses the pollution caused by diesel engines.”

By advancing Pennsylvania’s clean transportation infrastructure, we reduce harmful emissions of nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide across Pennsylvania. Replacing heavy diesel vehicles with new low- to zero-emissions equipment technology will help mitigate air pollution from transportation sources.”

A release stated that as vehicles produce 47% of nitrogen oxides in the air, pollutants can affect the health of children, older people, people with lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema, and those who work or are active outdoors.

The PA State Clean Diesel Grant program supports proposing impactful fleet transitions, especially those planning cost-effective, zero-emission technology replacement projects that provide air quality improvements to high traffic areas and Environmental Justice communities.

Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) delivery trucks, a plug-in electric metal recycling materials handler, BEV terminal tractors, several clean diesel forklift and school bus replacements, and electrified parking spaces at a regional, refrigerated freight distributor are among the awarded projects. The PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program will provide $2,936,953 to applicants to reduce their diesel emissions footprint. 

 Multi-county applicants awarded grants included Sheetz, which received $102,484.00 for 28 electrified parking spaces for transportation refrigerated tractor trailers, and United Parcel Service, which was awarded $1,349,000.00 to replace 10 diesel Class 6/7 delivery trucks, with 10 BEV trucks and three BEV Class 8 terminal tractors; including two DC Fast Charging for four plugs.

“By advancing Pennsylvania’s clean transportation infrastructure, we reduce harmful emissions of nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide across Pennsylvania,” said Shirley. “Replacing heavy diesel vehicles with new low- to zero-emissions equipment technology will help mitigate air pollution from transportation sources.”