Ohio Department of Development

FISHER ANNOUNCES DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTION GRANTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced 10 awards through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant program, which puts technologies to work reducing transportation-related pollutants to achieve both economic and air quality benefits. The program was created in state budget bill H.B. 562, which earmarked $19.8 million over two years of Ohio Department of Transportation's federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds to reduce diesel emissions.

"We were extremely pleased with the statewide interest in this program and shared concern for the great need to manage transportation-related emissions and remove toxins from our air. Our partners around the State are working hard to mitigate pollution and are forming important public-private partnerships to take action," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as the Director of the Department of Development. "Ohioans recognize our unique opportunity to safeguard the future of our State's businesses, families, and our environment. That is why we're working proactively to prepare Ohio's economy for the transition to a carbon-constrained world, through energy efficiency, technology deployment, and policy innovation."

The Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant program leverages private investment in equipment with public resources to ensure that equipment has the best available technology to manage emissions and keep the State of Ohio and its many regions in compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The Ohio Department of Development worked with an inter-agency team from Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to develop the program, which was announced January 7, 2008.

The goals of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant program are to: provide both public and private heavy diesel equipment owners operating within Ohio's maintenance and non-attainment counties - where air pollution levels consistently exceed the national ambient air quality standards - an opportunity to control vehicle emissions through retrofit, engine replacement, vehicle/machinery replacement or anti-idling technologies; improve the air quality performance of Ohio's transportation sector, especially in non-attainment counties, by reducing barriers to acquiring emission reduction technology; advance incentives for cleaning up diesel fleets in Ohio maintenance and non-attainment counties; and encourage the use of alternative and cleaner burning fuels.

Grant recipients include:

Cleveland Heights Vehicle Replacement (Cuyahoga County)
Central Ohio Transit Authority Bus Repower and Retrofit (Franklin County)
Crestwood Local Schools Bus Retrofit (Portage County)
Toledo RTA Bus Repower (Lucas County)
Greater Dayton RTA Bus Replacement (Montgomery County)
R.J. Corman RR Locomotive Replacement (Stark County)
Wheeling & Lake Erie RR Anti-idle Equipment Purchase (Stark County)
Arcelormittal Cleveland Works Railway Anti-idle Equipment (Cuyahoga County)
Indiana & Ohio Railway Company Locomotive Replacement (Hamilton County)
Indiana & Ohio Railway Company Locomotive Anti-idle Equipment (Hamilton County)

Public diesel engine fleets and private diesel engine fleets with a public sponsor were eligible for consideration. Projects were required to commit at least 20 percent matching funds and to operate their updated equipment in Ohio non-attainment-and-maintenance counties at least 65 percent of the time. The Department of Development expects to announce additional awards later this year.

The Ohio Energy Office within the Ohio Department of Development works with individuals, communities, non-profit organizations, businesses of all sizes, industry, and government agencies to create a robust economy supported by multiple energy sources, energy efficiency, and advanced technology with added value for the quality of life for all Ohioans.

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Media contacts: Eileen Turner at (614) 728-6674 or Kelly Schlissberg at (614) 466-4133