January 28, 2010
EPA Reaches Settlement with Kansas Power Plant for CAA Violations, Includes Funding for Retrofits - The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement with Westar Energy to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Westar Energy has agreed to spend approximately $500 million to significantly reduce harmful air pollution and pay a $3 million civil penalty. In addition, Westar will also spend $6 million on environmental mitigation projects. The agreement resolves violations of the Clean Air Act's New Source Review requirements at the company's Jeffrey Energy Center, a coal-fired power plant near St. Marys, Kansas. Under the settlement, Westar will install pollution control equipment at the Jeffrey Energy Center that is expected to reduce combined emissions of SO2 and NOx by about 78,600 tons per year, which is 85% below 2007 emissions. In addition, Westar will surrender surplus SO2 allowances. Westar will also rebuild and optimize controls to reduce PM emissions.
The settlement also requires Westar to spend $6 million on projects to benefit the environment and mitigate the adverse effects of the alleged violations, including:
- Retrofitting diesel engines on vehicles owned by or operated for public entities in Kansas with emission control equipment;
- Installing new wind turbines that will result in the reduction of criteria pollutants and GHGs, and provide electricity for the benefit of a school or nonprofit;
- Installing advanced truck stop electrification to reduce harmful emissions from idling trucks;
- Installing plug-in hybrid infrastructure to facilitate the use of plug-in hybrid vehicles; and
- Converting vehicles in Westar's fleet to reduce pollution by retrofitting diesel vehicles with emission controls and purchasing hybrid vehicles.
More information on this is available at: yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/a85fb73e4c613f4f852576b600565a8a!OpenDocument.
January 15, 2010
Alabama to Use ARRA State Clean Diesel Grant Program Funding to Retrofit Vehicles, Locomotives in Birmingham - On January 5, 2010, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) announced that it is partnering with United States Pipe and Foundry Company (U.S. Pipe) and the American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO) to utilize a portion of the $1.73 million awarded to the state through the U.S. EPA's State Clean Diesel Grant Program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to reduce diesel emissions in the Birmingham area. ADEM has allocated $196,880 for this project. U.S. Pipe and ACIPCO utilize a fleet of diesel vehicles, equipment, and locomotives to support their daily operations. The companies have voluntarily agreed to install diesel retrofit devices and idle reduction equipment on many of these vehicles and locomotives. U.S. Pipe recycles scrap metal and turns it into ductile iron pipes that carry clean drinking water into homes and business. ACIPCO is a manufacturer of ductile iron pipe, fire hydrants, and valves for the waterworks industry and steel pipe for the oil and gas industries. Both companies have agreed to have the project completed by September 30, 2010. For more information, go to: www.adem.state.al.us/PressReleases/2010/PartnerstoReduceDieselEmissions.pdf.
January 8, 2010
Connecticut Announces Recipients of ARRA State Clean Diesel Grant Program Funding - On December 31, 2009, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell announced the grant recipients of the $1.73 million in DERA funding the state received through the U.S. EPA's State Clean Diesel Grant Program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
The clean diesel projects are:
- State Highway Truck Retrofit ($600,000) - Using $150,000 of the funds, this project will retrofit 146 state highway plow trucks with DOCs (note: this project has been completed). After the winter season, the retrofitted trucks can be used year-round for other highway uses. Approximately $450,000 in stimulus funds will be used for similar retrofits for state highway construction equipment.
- Truck Stop Electrification ($380,256) - This project at the Port of New Haven will establish a truck stop electrification (TSE) parking area to relieve a long-standing problem caused by idling trucks waiting for gate access to deliver or pick up goods. The TSE units will allow truck drivers to have heat, air conditioning, and electricity for in-cab appliances without running their truck engines.
- Locomotive Engine Repower ($750,000) - This project will replace a diesel locomotive engine operated by the Providence and Worcester Rail Road in New Haven with low emission generators and DPFs. This project will be the first of its kind in Connecticut.
The Governor noted that these projects will further implement strategies set out in the Connecticut Clean Diesel Plan that was adopted in 2006. The three projects were selected from among 16 submitted for consideration.
North Carolina Announces RFA for Cleaning Up Nonroad Diesel Engines - North Carolina's Division of Air Quality has announced its second request for applications (RFA) under its NC Clean Construction Leading to Early Adoption of Diesel Emission Reductions (LEADER) program. The purpose of the LEADER program is to help clean up North Carolina's legacy fleet of Tier 0 (unregulated) nonroad diesel engines through the funding of retrofits, equipment replacements or engine repowers, or engine upgrade group solutions. The total funding available for this second request for applications is about $125,000. This funding comes from a DERA grant awarded to the NC Division of Air Quality by the U.S. EPA in October 2008. The application period closes on February 5, 2010. For more information, including a copy of the application package, go to: daq.state.nc.us/motor/LEADER/.
