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VOLUNTARY PROGRAM LAUNCHED TO REDUCE TOXIC POLLUTION FROM EXISTING DIESEL ENGINES
Release Date: 03/23/2000
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2000
VOLUNTARY PROGRAM LAUNCHED TO REDUCE
TOXIC POLLUTION FROM EXISTING DIESEL ENGINES
EPA on March 22 announced a new voluntary initiative called the “Diesel Retrofit Program” to clean up older diesel engines in trucks, buses and construction equipment. EPA’s initial goal is to get commitments from owners by the end of the year to retrofit 10,000 older heavy-duty diesel engines over the next two years. EPA anticipates that these commitments will come from state and local governments, fleet operators, and industry groups who can use available technology and other methods to reduce pollution from these engines. Each year these engines contribute millions of tons of soot, smog- forming and toxic pollution that can cause adverse health effects such as lung damage, respiratory problems and cancer. Retrofitting 10,000 engines would eliminate roughly 15,000 tons of harmful pollution each year. EPA hopes to work with other federal agencies, state governments, environmental groups and industries to encourage retrofitting of older diesel engines. More information on EPA’s diesel programs is found at: www.epa.gov/oms/hd-hwy.htm
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