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North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming receive Recovery Act funding to reduce diesel emissions, create jobs

Release Date: 04/08/2009
Contact Information: Rebecca Russo, EPA Region 8, 303 312-6757; Richard Mylott, 303 312-6654

Clean diesel projects reduce early deaths, asthma attacks, other health problems

(Denver, Colo. -- April 8, 2009) In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, reduce diesel emissions and protect human health and the environment for the people of North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1.73 million to the environment and public health agency in each state. The funding can be used to support clean diesel projects and loan programs to address the nation’s existing fleet of over 11 million diesel engines.

“This is part of the nationwide clean energy transition that is clearing the air and creating millions of jobs across America,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Communities using innovative measures to cut harmful diesel emissions are cutting costs, creating jobs, and keeping people healthy.”

The funds provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 will go to state agencies to help fund the purchase of new clean diesel school buses in school districts throughout each state. The States will also potentially use funds to install diesel oxidation catalysts and closed crankcase filtration units on school buses. Agencies receiving these funds include the North Dakota Department of Health, the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

In addition to helping to create and retain jobs, the clean diesel projects would reduce premature deaths, asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, lost work days, and many other health impacts every year.

Under ARRA’s State clean diesel funding program, $88.2 million is divided equally through a noncompetitive allocation process, meaning that all 50 states and the District of Columbia will receive $1.73 million.

States, local governments, non-profits and tribal agencies can also compete for a portion of $206 million under ARRA’s National clean diesel funding program.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009 and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at Recovery.gov.

For information on EPA’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, visit https://www.epa.gov/recovery

For information about EPA’s clean diesel initiatives, visit https://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel