Snohomish County, Everett and other northwest counties and cities

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Department of Ecology News Release - July 17, 2006

06-128

Snohomish County, Everett and other northwest counties and cities celebrate reduction in toxic diesel fumes

EVERETT - Residents of Snohomish, Island, King and San Juan counties will breathe a little easier thanks to grants from the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to reduce toxic fumes from diesel vehicles and heavy equipment.

An award ceremony was held today in the Snohomish County administrative building to honor the town of Friday Harbor, the cities of Everett and Oak Harbor, the ports of Everett and Seattle, Island Transit and Snohomish County.

In total, these communities and agencies are receiving grants for $424,500 to retrofit a total of approximately 187 vehicles with pollution-control devices that reduce toxic diesel emissions.

"We appreciate the leadership these local governments are demonstrating by participating in this program," said Ecology air quality manager, Doug Brown, who presented the grant awards today in Everett. "This translates to a tangible reduction in toxic pollution in each community, and that's truly something to celebrate."

The state Legislature appropriated $2 million for this program for the '05 - '07 funding period. Altogether, Ecology issued $2 million in grants to 28 local governments across the state to purchase and install devices that decrease pollution.

The seven local governments plan to modify a total of 187 diesel vehicles:

Friday Harbor will receive $12,000 to retrofit eight work vehicles.
Island Transit's $141,000 grant will enable the agency to modify 10 buses.
Oak Harbor plans to use its $34,500 grant to upgrade 23 city vehicles.
Everett has 43 vehicles, including 23 buses, slated for retrofits using its $64,500 grant.
The Port of Everett will modify two vehicles with its $10,000 grant.
The Port of Seattle will retrofit six vehicles with its $35,000 grant.
Snohomish County has a $127,500 grant to modify 85 work vehicles.

Transit buses, dump trucks and garbage trucks are among the types of vehicles that will be fitted with emissions-control technology. The average cost per vehicle will be just under $3,000.

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.

The pollution control devices will eliminate from 40 to 90 percent of the toxic emissions from each vehicle, depending on specific equipment that is suitable for each vehicle considering its age, type and usage characteristics. Most of this technology is relatively maintenance free and easy to install.

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: Larry Altose, public information officer, 425-649-7009

For more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/cars/DieselGrantPage.htm