HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced a significant investment in the state’s environmental health with a $2.9 million allocation to seven applicants through the PA State Clean Diesel Grant program. This initiative represents a concerted effort to combat air pollution by incentivizing fleet owners and operators to modernize their vehicles, transitioning from heavy diesel engines to low- or zero-emission alternatives.
DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley underscored the importance of tackling transportation-related emissions, noting that vehicles account for nearly half of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. These pollutants contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, posing health risks particularly to children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions. Shirley highlighted the grant program’s role in advancing the state’s clean transportation infrastructure, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide emissions across Pennsylvania.
The PA State Clean Diesel Grant program supports projects that promise impactful fleet transitions, focusing on cost-effective, zero-emission technology replacements. These projects are not only aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of vehicle fleets but also at improving air quality in high traffic and Environmental Justice communities. Among the notable recipients of this year’s grants are initiatives encompassing battery-electric vehicle (BEV) delivery trucks, plug-in electric metal recycling handlers, BEV terminal tractors, as well as the introduction of electrified parking spaces to support refrigerated freight distribution.
This year’s funding will aid a diverse array of projects aimed at diminishing diesel emissions. For instance, Sheetz is set to develop 28 electrified parking spaces for transportation refrigerated tractor trailers with a grant of $102,484, while United Parcel Service (UPS) has been awarded $1,349,000 to replace diesel delivery trucks and terminal tractors with electric counterparts. Additional beneficiaries include United Scrap Metal and Ben Weitsman of Scranton, which are replacing diesel material handlers with cleaner alternatives, and the Collins Pine Company along with Fullington School Bus LLC, which are updating their fleets with new clean diesel buses and forklifts.
The initiative demonstrates Pennsylvania’s commitment to fostering a cleaner environment through the promotion of clean energy and sustainable transportation solutions. By supporting the transition to low- to zero-emissions technology, the PA State Clean Diesel Grant program aims to significantly reduce the state’s diesel emissions footprint, contributing to the broader goal of enhancing air quality and public health.
This move towards clean transportation is especially critical in the context of growing concerns over air pollution and its impact on vulnerable populations. By targeting high traffic areas and communities historically burdened by environmental injustices, these grants serve as a vital step forward in ensuring equitable access to clean air and a healthier environment for all Pennsylvanians.
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