NY, NJ and Puerto Rico get $17 million in EPA grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Friday that it has awarded $17 million to New Jersey, New York and Puerto Rico (all in EPA’s Region 2) to clean up a variety of trucks, construction equipment and locomotives, as well as a diesel-powered ferry, cruise ships and other marine vessels. The funds are being provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.
According to the agency, EPA Region 2 alone received over 52 grant applications requesting $168 million to help fund clean diesel emissions projects. The awards announced were chosen to both maximize economic impact and emissions reductions.

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) is among those receiving stimulus funds. PANYNJ’s Regional Truck Replacement Program was awarded $7 million. . The program will replace up to 636 model-year 1993 and older drayage trucks that service Port Authority facilities with cleaner, 2004 and newer model- year trucks by offering truckers 25% off the cost of the newer truck.

“Innovative clean diesel projects can create jobs, cut fuel costs, keep people healthy and move our country into a clean energy future,” said Acting EPA Regional Administrator George Pavlou. “Projects like these help rebuild the economy while contributing to cleaner, healthier air quality.”