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EPA Awards $3 Million Grant to Texas Transportation Institute

Release Date: 10/11/2005
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson announced today the largest-ever SmartWay Transport Partnership grant, awarded to the Texas Transportation Institute.  The award is part of a package of $5 million in grants under EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership, which will help pay for technologies that save fuel and money while also reducing pollution.  The Texas Transportation Institute is a state agency and a member of the Texas A&M University system.

     "This EPA SmartWay grant is another step forward in our nation's efforts to conserve fuel, achieve energy independence and reduce emissions that contribute to soot and smog," Administrator Johnson said. "By taking actions, both big and small, to reduce our facilities' energy usage, we are responding to the President's call to conserve and promoting the common-sense efforts we can all make as individuals to reduce our energy demand."

     Administrator Johnson was joined at today's announcement by Congressman Chet Edwards, University Provost David Prior, Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director Mike Behrens and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Commissioner R.B. "Ralph" Marquez. Administrator Johnson celebrated the important benefits of the Texas Transportation Institute grant. The Institute will study and deploy engine idle reduction technologies at truck stops and ports which will help lead to cleaner air and reduced energy consumption.

     The SmartWay grants awarded today support a first-of-its kind initiative that deploys a wide variety of idle reduction technologies on trucks and at truck stops and ports across the nation.   The direct benefits over the life of the technology include:

* 15 million gallons of diesel fuel savings;
* $45 million in reduced fuel costs;
* 3,000 tons of nitrogen oxide emission reductions;
* 70 tons of particulate matter emission reductions, and;
* 125,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission reductions.

     In addition, the grants will spur development and commercialization of idle-reduction technologies that yield even greater benefits as their use becomes more widespread. The grants are being awarded to the following entities:
 
* Texas Transportation Institute - "Truck Engine Idle Reduction Technology Demonstration Program"
* Ohio Department of Development - "Ohio and Midwest Truck Stop Electrification Corridors Demonstration, Evaluation, and Development Project"
* Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority (Oregon) - "Everybody Wins - Phase II"
* American Transportation Research Institute - "Demonstration of Integrated Mobile Idle Reduction Solutions"
* North Carolina State University - "Truck Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Prep Kit Design and Installation"

     EPA anticipates that the grant recipients will begin seeking proposals to carry out the projects within six months.  For more information on the SmartWay Transport Partnership grant awards, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smartway/.