The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded two Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants totaling $2,614,907 to The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Connecticut Maritime Foundation Inc. to curb pollution from trucks and ferries in the Greater New York area.
The Port Authority of NY & NJ has been awarded $1,750,000 for its Truck Replacement Program. This project will replace model year 2006 and older short-haul trucks serving Port Authority facilities, such as Port Newark-Elizabeth, with cleaner 2012 and newer models. This investment will reduce about 246 tons of nitrogen oxides and about 16 tons of fine particles, according to the EPA.
The Connecticut Maritime Foundation has been awarded $864,907 to replace marine diesel engines on vessels that operate in the waterways of the New York City metropolitan area. This project will reduce about 118 tons of nitrogen oxides and about five tons of fine particles, says the EPA.
“We applaud the EPA’s actions in working cooperatively with us to secure much-needed funding to continue our successful Truck Replacement Program,” says Molly Campbell, the Port Authority’s port department director. “We are excited about these grants and we are looking forward to working with our environmental stakeholders to ensure that we remain good neighbors to those who live and work around the port. This year, we are laser-focused on continuing our existing programs and exploring new initiatives to improve air quality.”
“CT Maritime Foundation is pleased to once again collaborate with EPA to reduce diesel emissions from marine vessels,” adds William Gash, executive director. “Benefits attributed to the early replacement of diesel engines include reduced emissions, fuel conservation and a better air quality for the region.”
