August 14, 2024
As part of its continuing efforts to improve air quality, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality today announced more than $8.5 million in funding to seven projects focused on reducing diesel emissions across… the state and among vulnerable populations. The Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant Program reviewed 45 applications, submitted by Oregon businesses, governments and equipment owners this year.Improving air quality by eliminating contaminants can lead to better public health and a cleaner environment. The awarded projects will remove more than 27 tons of harmful pollution, including nitrogen oxide and fine particulate matter, from Oregon’s air. Previous recipients have found great success with Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grants, and now can expand overhauling their fleets with additional funding. Repeat awardees range from Portland’s City of Roses Disposal and Recycling replacing nine diesel on-road and yard trucks with electric and renewable diesel versions to Gresham’s First Student, Inc. replacing two diesel-powered school buses with two electric school buses. In addition, All Service Moving in Portland will continue to electrify its fleet by replacing nine more diesel moving trucks with zero-emissions electric versions.“Companies with many older and dirtier diesel trucks can face difficult economic and logistical challenges to decreasing their diesel emissions. It is encouraging to see previous Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant awardees experience the benefits of low- and zero-emissions vehicles and want to continue transforming their large fleets using our grant,” said DEQ Air Quality Division Administrator Ali Mirzakhalili. “This is just one of DEQ’s many programs and incentives supporting our mission to reduce harmful air pollution and protect public health.” 2024 recipients and awards are as follows:Recipient: All Service MovingPrimary Location: PortlandProject: Replace nine older, medium-duty diesel moving trucks with nine medium-duty zero-emissions electric moving trucks.Grant Amount: $2,760,660.36Recipient: City of Roses Disposal and RecyclingPrimary Location: PortlandProject: Replace Six non-road vehicles and three on-road trucks with diesel replacement and zero-emissions electric vehicles. Grant Amount: $972,588Recipient: Columbia Freight SystemsPrimary Location: Portland Project: Replace two heavy-duty trucks with two heavy-duty zero-emissions electric trucks.Grant Amount: $750,000Recipient: First Student, Inc.Primary Location: GreshamProject: Replace two heavy-duty, diesel-fueled school buses with two heavy-duty, electric-powered school buses.Grant Amount: $833,066Recipient: Interlaken, Inc.Primary Location: GreshamProject: Replace one medium-duty truck and up to two heavy-duty trucks with diesel-powered trucks with PM 2.5 and NOx emissions controls.Grant Amount: $189,070.95Recipient: MTR WesternPrimary Location: PortlandProject: Replace four diesel motor coach buses with four all-electric motor coach buses.Grant Amount: $2,925,922.60Recipient: Waste Management of Oregon, Inc.Primary Location: Forest GroveProject: Replace three heavy-duty waste trucks with renewable natural gas versions.Grant Amount: $120,000The 2024 Grant Amount Total: $8,551,307.91 In response to inflation and cost increases for vehicles and equipment, DEQ may choose to increase individual award amounts as needed to ensure Oregon receives the maximum air quality benefits from projects.The agency’s Air Quality Program staff used a point system that applied specific criteria, developed by the Oregon Legislature, and related administrative rules to evaluate proposed projects. Project location criterion included a GIS evaluation against a vulnerable population map. The review considered how a proposed project would improve air quality in areas with the highest diesel emissions, most vulnerable populations and highest population densities. DEQ has approximately $40 million from the Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund, which was assigned after Volkswagen was found to have cheated on emissions standards. The agency was directed to award approximately $8 million in grants per year for five consecutive calendar years, beginning in 2021. Next year will be the final Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grants application and awards cycle. For more questions about DEQ’s Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant Program, email dieselgrants@deq.oregon.gov.
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