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published on October 28, 2019 - 11:57 AM
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A Central Valley clean-air agency received the lion’s share of grant money from the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce diesel emissions in its district.

Of the $11.67 million the USEPA awarded to organizations throughout the Golden State, the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District based in Fresno received three grants totaling $6.96 million, according to a press release from the EPA.

That amount, combined with $21.51 million from the state agency will go toward replacing 103 ag tractors, three locomotives and 17 trucks.

“By promoting clean diesel technologies, we can improve air quality and human health, advance American innovation and support green jobs,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “Reducing exposure to diesel pollution is important for everyone, particularly children, one of our most sensitive populations.”

The EPA standards set in the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act that make diesel engines 90% cleaner do not always apply to tractors, autos, trains and more that predate the act. Grant money goes toward replacing or retrofitting many of those engines.

Between 2008 and 2016, the EPA has given $629 million nationally to retrofit or replace 67,300 engines and equipment, the release stated. This has saved 454 million gallons of fuel and reduced 15,490 tons of particulate matter.

Other agencies given grant money include:

—Blue Lake Rancheria received $78,562 to replace one wildland fire engine. The funds will be combined with $311,427 from Blue Lake Rancheria and the Volkswagen Mitigation Settlement.

—California Air Resources Board (CARB) received $556,361 to replace five diesel school buses with electric, zero-emission buses. The funds will be combined with $505,457 from CARB and $1,182,500 in fleet cost-share funds.

—City of Long Beach Harbor Department received $1,500,000 to replace three port cranes. The funds will be combined with $5,100,000 from Total Terminals International LLC.

—Morongo Band of Mission Indians received $283,841 to replace two school buses and two backhoes. These funds will be combined with $283,842 from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

—South Coast Air Quality Management District received $2,289,581 to replace 35 municipal trucks. These funds will be combined with $1,575,000 from CARB and $2,625,595 from fleet cost-share.


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