COLUMBIA - A new opportunity is available to help reduce diesel emissions in South Carolina, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
"Under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has presented DHEC with a grant award of more than $246,000," said Myra Reece, chief of DHEC's Bureau of Air Quality. “The goal of this grant is to establish programs to reduce diesel emissions.
"These funds will be used for projects that will provide cost-effective diesel emission reduction strategies," Reece said. "Some projects may include retrofits, engine replacements or rebuilds, idle reduction technologies, or cleaner fuels."
Reece said DHEC plans to conduct a competitive grant process for implementation of diesel emission reduction projects to promote a healthier environment in South Carolina.
"South Carolina has been a leader in diesel emissions reduction programs in the past by partnering with the S.C. Department of Education to support the Clean School Bus USA Program," said Reece. "That program retrofits and places idle reduction devices on school buses."
According to Reece, DHEC has also worked with the S.C. Ports Authority in clean diesel achievements, including replacing some of the Ports Authority's older equipment and using ultra low sulfur diesel fuel in the off road sector before federal mandates requires it in 2012.
Reece said reducing diesel emissions is currently one of the most important air quality challenges in South Carolina.
For information regarding the application process and eligibility requirements, visit our Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/DERA.