Leonardo Academy Awarded $900,000 for Clean Diesel Projects – Regions 6 and 7

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Madison, WI – January 10, 2012 – Leonardo Academy has been awarded $900,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help reduce emissions from diesel engines. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is currently one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. Even with EPA's more stringent heavy-duty highway and non-road engine standards set to take effect over the next decade, millions of diesel engines already in use will continue to emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and air toxics, which contribute to serious public health problems. EPA, Region 6 and 7 awarded the grant as part of the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.

Leonardo Academy will use the grant for clean diesel projects in Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri that significantly reduce fuel emissions from delivery trucks. Anticipated emission reduction strategies for this project include early retirement of conventional delivery trucks and replacement with new trucks equipped with hybrid-electric or selective catalytic reduction systems. It is estimated that the projects will reduce over 16,000 tons of carbon dioxide and 3,400 tons of nitrogen oxides. These strategies will also reduce fuel usage and maintenance cost which in turn will help with job creation for project participants. “We are extremely proud to receive this prestigious grant and for our partnerships with the EPA” explained Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy. “Leonardo Academy is dedicated to developing sustainability strategies for companies and organizations that engage progress in environmental and social equity achievements in driving economic success.  Leonardo Academy believes that its extensive experience in helping organizations understand, quantify, manage and report their overall sustainability will help enhance the goals of our partners locally, as well as on a regional and national basis.”   About the EPA’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program
The Diesel Emissions Reduction National Program (DERA) authorized by Title VII, Subtitle G (Sections 791 to 797) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) enables EPA to offer funding assistance to eligible entities on a competitive basis. Fiscal Year 2008 was the inaugural year of funding for DERA. Approximately 60 assistance agreements totaling over $28 million were awarded nationwide through EPA’s FY08 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program’s regional competitions. In addition, on February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law No. 111-05) (Recovery Act) which provided funding for DERA.   Under the Recovery Act funding for the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, EPA awarded agreements totaling $50 million for projects that demonstrated the ability to be commenced expeditiously, reduce diesel emissions, and maximize job creation and/or preservation and economic recovery through a variety of diesel emission reduction strategies. Specific information on these funded projects can be found at: www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/projects.htm.   Upcoming Opportunities
Should a fleet or organization be interested in signing up for future funding opportunities please contact Leonardo Academy as soon as possible. For more information contact Andrea Bachrach at (608) 280-0255 or email andrea@leonardoacademy.org.   LEON20062