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Massachusetts Receives Economic Recovery Funding from U.S. EPA to Reduce Diesel Emissions, Create Jobs

Release Date: 05/15/2009
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – May 15, 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 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1.73 million to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). 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 Recovery Act funding will provide a great boost to Clean Air investments in Massachusetts,” said Ira Leighton, acting regional administrator for EPA’s New England office. “This money will help the state to bolster its economy, protect public health and create green jobs that improve air quality.”

The funds provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 will go to four programs: the MassDEP Diesel Waste Collection Vehicle Retrofit Program, the MBTA Locomotive Head End Power Unit Repower Program, the Northeast Hybrid Truck Consortium Hybrid Truck Purchasing Program, and the Massachusetts Port Authority Fish Pier Electrification Program.

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. It’s estimated that the health benefits from diesel emissions reductions outweigh the costs by a ratio of up to 13-to-1.

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 in Massachusetts, visit (https://www.epa.gov/recovery)

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

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