Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases FOR IMMIDIEATE RELEASE PATT- MCDANIEL ANNOUNCES 16 DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTION GRANT RECIPIENTS COLUMBUS – Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development, today announced 16 awards through the second round of 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 are extremely pleased with the statewide interest in this program and shared concern for the need to manage transportation-related emissions and remove toxins from our air. Our partners around Ohio are working hard to mitigate pollution and form important public-private partnerships,” said Patt-McDaniel. “The Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant program is a unique opportunity to safeguard the future of Ohio’s businesses, families, and environment. Working proactively to prepare Ohio’s economy for the transition to a carbon-constrained world will expand 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 this second round of the program, which was announced December 18, 2008. The first round was announced on January 7, 2008 and awarded grants to 10 successful applicants. 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 nonattainment 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. 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. *Please see below for a list of recipients. Grant recipients include: Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the non-profit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future. The Ohio Energy Office works to grow the economy of the state by connecting companies and communities to financial and technical resources in order to deploy renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency. ### Media contacts: Robert Grevey at (614) 466-6619 or
May 26, 2009
the Communications and Marketing Office at (614) 466-2609