News Release

Contact: Aaron Sadler, Director’s Office      For release: June 23, 2009

Telephone 501-682-0959       Fax 501-682-0880              E-mail sadlera@adeq.state.ar.us

 

 

ADEQ ANNOUNCES “Go RED!” RECIPIENTS

 

 

          The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has awarded about $400,000 in grants funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce emissions from diesel engines in the state.  ADEQ offered these funds as a competitive funding assistance opportunity called, “Reduce Emissions from Diesels (Go RED!).”  Public entities and non-profit organizations in Arkansas were eligible to receive funding.

          The money was awarded on a competitive basis and eight projects were selected for funding.  ADEQ limited grant awards to $100,000 per organization.  ADEQ will fund retrofits and engine upgrades up to 100 percent and equipment replacement up to 25 percent.

          Thirteen public entities applied for the grants.  Eight projects were selected for funding. Those were: $44,512.75 to Bradley County to replace one refuse truck; $26,089 to Calhoun County for an engine upgrade on one grader; $52,500 to the City of Little Rock to replace two dump trucks; $74,395 to the City of Monticello to replace one refuse truck and one dump truck; $100,000 to the City of North Little Rock to retrofit 35 fleet vehicles; $33,000 to Little Rock Wastewater to replace two dump trucks; $51,595 to Newton County to replace two dump trucks; and $39,775 to Van Cove Public Schools to replace two school buses.  Projects are expected to be completed by August 31, 2010.

          All diesel engines, particularly older models, release harmful substances into the air, including nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.  These emissions can cause serious health concerns especially for children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory problems.  Across the nation each year, these emissions are

linked to thousands of premature deaths, asthma attacks, millions of lost work days and many other numerous health impacts.

          Future Go RED! funding opportunities will be posted on the ADEQ website in July at www.adeq.state.ar.us

 

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