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Department of Ecology News Release - February 13, 2006
06-023
OLYMPIA - The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) today announced $2 million in grants to help local governments purchase and install devices that decrease pollution created by heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment.
Twenty-eight cities, counties, transit authorities and port authorities across the state will receive funding from Ecology’s local government retrofit grant program. Transit buses, dump trucks and garbage trucks are among the types of vehicles that will be fitted with emissions control technology. Counties where awards are being made include Benton, Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, King, Kitsap, Okanogan, San Juan, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima.
“We are pleased to provide this funding to local governments," said Stu Clark, Ecology’s air-quality program manager. “Diesel exhaust creates a significant health hazard in our state. These grants will help decrease the harm caused by this extremely toxic pollution."
Diesel soot poses the highest cancer risk of any air pollutant. Particles harm the heart, lungs and immune systems of those exposed. Individuals with pre-existing health conditions are especially at risk. Infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and smokers are also more sensitive to the toxic affects of these pollutants.
Technology to eliminate up to 99 percent of the toxic emissions generated by diesel vehicles is now readily available. Most of this technology is relatively maintenance free and easy to install. These grants will be used to purchase and install these emission control devices.
Ecology received 82 applications for funding under the local government retrofit grant program. “We are hoping that the Legislature will provide more funding for this program in the future so we can support the rest of these important projects," said Clark.
Ecology has also provided grants to help school districts run their buses more cleanly. More than 3,700 school buses statewide have installed emissions control technology. This technology has prevented more than 100 tons of harmful pollutants from being released into the air.
For more information on Ecology’s local government retrofit grant program and a complete list of grant recipients, please visit: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/cars/DieselGrantPage.htm .
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Contact: Glenn Kuper, public information manager, (360) 407-6848
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
