Clearing Washington’s air with diesel technology for school buses, maritime vessels and construction

"Clean diesel technology can reduce air pollution in harbors, neighborhoods and schools," said McLerran. "The Pacific Northwest is a major hub for commerce. When local governments, tribes and industries work to find opportunities for clean diesel technology, everyone benefits from the improved air quality."

The grants are funded under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act through the West Coast Collaborative, a partnership between leaders from federal, state, and local governments, the private sector, and environmental groups committed to reducing diesel emissions throughout western North America.

Since its inception in 2004 as part of EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign, the WCC has awarded over 100 grants to reduce diesel emissions from the medium- and heavy-duty engines to power vehicles in goods movement, agriculture, construction, and public fleets.

The WCC boasts over 1000 partners from all over western North America, including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Canada, and Mexico.

For more information about the West Coast Collaborative, please visit: www.westcoastcollaborative.org

Washington Grant Recipients

Makah Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation

The Makah Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation received $750,000 to repower nine uncertified commercial marine vessels to Tier 2 standards. The tribe is partnering with 12 tribal fleet owners that will repower nine commercial marine vessels. The Makah Tribe is contributing 25 percent of the project cost.

The engine repowers will vastly improve fuel efficiency by decreasing marine fuel consumption and diesel emissions. They will also cut down on fuel costs, allowing the fishing businesses that own these vessels to be more competitive in the market place.

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency received $650,000 to repower the tugboat Eagle with two new Tier 2 propulsion engines and two Tier 3 auxiliary engines replacing all four of the old, uncertified diesel engines. PSCAA is partnering with Harley Marine Services and the Washington State Department of Ecology.

This Puget Sound tugboat repower project provides short-term relief, long-lasting emission reductions and public health benefits in areas of high population density, poor air quality and heavy diesel fleet activity.

Tulalip Tribe of the Tulalip Reservation

The Tulalip Tribe of the Tulalip Reservation received $576,525 to repower 13 tribal marine vessels with new low-emission engines. These vessels are used for gillnet fisheries, dive fisheries, and for the enforcement and rescue patrol along the Tulalip Bay. The project will be implemented with over $192,808 in leveraged funding.

Repowered marine vessels are some of the most effective and cost-effective targets for air pollutant reduction.

Washington State Department of Ecology

The Washington State Department of Ecology received $400,000 to retrofit 153 privately owned non-road construction equipment and heavy-duty on-road construction trucks with diesel oxidation catalysts.

Construction equipment generates about 18 percent of the diesel particulate matter in Washington. Heavy-duty, on-road trucks such as dump trucks, concrete trucks, and semi-tractor trailers that move non-road construction equipment also contribute to the 29 percent of diesel particulate matter generated by heavy-duty, on-road trucks.

Ecology also received $288,740 to replace 11 pre-1994 heavy duty diesel school buses to meet or exceed the 2007 on-road emission standards.