Leonardo Academy Helps Remove Diesel Fumes from Midwest Air

Madison, Wis., September 5, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Through a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, Leonardo Academy assisted several Midwest fleets and construction companies in replacing older diesel vehicles with new clean-diesel or compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and repowering older diesel engines with newer, cleaner engines. These include:

• Paper Transport, Convenience Transportation, Dynamic Recycling and Time Transport are regional fleet operators with distribution centers in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. These carriers, who drive over 20 million loaded miles annually, used grant money to replace old diesel trucks with new CNG trucks. The new trucks will eliminate harmful greenhouse gases and cut operating and maintenance costs while delivering performance and meeting the environmental, economic, and social needs of the communities as they traverse the region’s most heavily traveled goods movement truck routes.
• Waste Management is the leading provider of waste management services in North America. With 21,000 collection and transfer vehicles, the company has the largest trucking fleet in the waste industry. For this project, WM replaced two refuse haulers providing residential service throughout Racine County, Wisconsin with CNG alternatives.
• Michels Corporation, a regional construction company with facilities and construction projects throughout the United States, undertook engine replacements for four nonroad crushers. Nonroad diesel engines are a significant contributor to the two main pollutants of concern in diesel exhaust that affect human health, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.  These units are now estimated to emit 70 percent less ozone forming and particulate matter emissions than the engines they replaced. 

The inhalation of diesel emissions can trigger adverse health problems, including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion and can worsen bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. Emissions from older diesel trucks and construction equipment can contribute to air pollution by producing particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that can be harmful to not only the driver, but also to the surrounding communities and environment. 

“Leonardo Academy is dedicated to advancing sustainability. We develop sustainability strategies for companies and organizations that reduce environmental impacts and help drive economic success,” explained Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy.  “Part of Leonardo Academy’s goal in advocating the EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign is to improve air quality by reducing emissions from all types of diesel-fueled engines throughout Wisconsin.   We believe that this project will be a vital step in encouraging other communities throughout the Midwest to explore opportunities to reduce emissions and achieve better fuel efficiency from their diesel engines.”

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. In Fiscal Year 2008, the inaugural year of the DERA Program, approximately 60 assistance agreements totaling over $28 million were awarded nationwide through regional competitions.
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 additional funding for DERA.  With this additional funding, EPA has awarded additional DERA grants each year, further eliminating diesel emissions in the Midwest and across the country.  Specific information on these funded projects can be found at www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/projects.htm. 

About Leonardo Academy
Leonardo Academy is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of energy and environmental issues and supporting continued environmental improvement. By utilizing an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability implementation, we strive to make sustainability practical for everyone. Leonardo Academy provides education, carries out analysis, and develops new approaches to the implementation of public policy that support environmental improvement, increased energy efficiency, and increased use of renewable energy.

We strive to develop integrative sustainability solutions designed to enhance the environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic prosperity of organizations, corporations and individuals. We envision a world filled with sustainable opportunities that can transform the way we live today and ensure the prosperity and wellbeing of future generations.  For more information about Leonardo Academy, visit our website at www.leonardoacademy.org.