Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced today that approximately $1.5 million in grant money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is being made available to Michigan owners and operators of diesel engine vehicles and equipment to make upgrades so that less efficient diesel engines are retired and cleaner burning engines take their place. The funding is part of the National Clean Diesel Campaign, an effort to reduce the overall level of pollutants that negatively impact human health and the environment.

"This program will improve air quality by putting cleaner diesel fleets on Michigan roads." said Director Chester.  "It will also generate economic growth in "green" technologies, creating jobs and opportunities for Michigan workers."

The DEQ is now accepting applications for the Michigan Clean Diesel Recovery and Reinvestment Project through a Request for Projects (RFP) competitive grant application that begins today and closes on Monday, June 15, 2009. The RFP allows applications for projects that would use U.S. EPA or California Air Resources Board verified solutions including anti-idling and retrofit equipment, as well as engine, vehicle and equipment upgrades or replacements to a variety of diesel engine fleet types including school buses, medium and heavy duty trucks, marine, locomotive, and construction industry equipment, and stationary energy production engines.

The Michigan Clean Diesel Recovery and Reinvestment Project will help grow and maintain jobs such as transportation managers, mechanics, bus drivers, and private fleet managers, as well as supporting jobs at the manufacturers and distributors of new vehicles, engines, and supporting equipment as new orders come from this program activity.

Cleaner burning diesel engines help reduce the overall levels of particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide pollutants that are emitted from vehicles and equipment that use diesel fuel. Diesel engine emissions can contribute to health problems such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and cancer.

The RFP and additional information are available online by visiting the Michigan Clean Diesel Initiative Web site at: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3310_30151_30313-198413--,00.html, or the state of Michigan Recovery and Reinvestment Web site at: www.michigan.gov/recovery.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised May 15, 2009 by Pat Watson