COLUMBIA, S.C. - The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is awarding grants to reduce diesel emissions in the state, the agency announced today.
“Reducing diesel emissions is one of the most important air quality challenges in protecting the environment and health of our citizens,” said Myra Reece, chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality. “The state received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).”
According to Reece, DHEC is allocating more than $600,000 to reduce diesel emissions and achieve program goals. Eight recipients were selected including: S.C. Public Railways, S.C. Trucking Association, the University of South Carolina, Vulcan Materials, Savannah River Site, Carolina Contracting Inc., CMC Steel and Sutton Construction.
“These funds, and the nearly $1 million already allocated earlier this year, will be used for projects that focus on job creation and retention by providing cost-effective diesel emission reduction strategies,” Reece said. “Some projects might include retrofits, engine replacements or rebuilds, idle reduction technologies, or use of cleaner fuels.”
Reece said more than $10 million worth of diesel emission reduction projects are in place, or are in the process of being implemented in South Carolina. Additional funding opportunities for diesel emission reduction projects will be available this fall as South Carolina will be receiving more federal funding from the EPA.
For more information about the DERA program and future funding opportunities, see DHEC’s Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/DERA.