The EPA Awards $1 million To Replace Older Diesel Trucks

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision a $1 million grant to reduce harmful emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks and city-owned utility equipment that operates in metro Detroit.

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, a nonprofit that works with the community on environmental issues, will use the funds to help: private short-haul vehicles in the goods movement sector; city of Detroit dump trucks; and diesel trucks used by Oak Park-based food rescue Forgotten Harvest

Forgotten Harvest plans to replace two trucks out of its fleet of about 35 vehicles and will contribute 75 percent of the cost of each truck, according to information from the organization.

“Forgotten Harvest is honored to partner with Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision on this important EPA grant with environmental benefits. The new replacement refrigerated trucks will help us rescue nutritious donated food to feed people facing food insecurity in metro Detroit,” Kirk Mayes, CEO of Forgotten Harvest, said in an email.

Private fleet companies participating in the project include Alco Transportation, Red Cap Transport, T&L Transport, Gemini Transport and Causley Trucking, a U.S. Postal Service contractor that transports mail.

Targeted older vehicles will be replaced with ones that meet current emissions standards, the EPA said in a release, noting the projects will cut the amount of nitrogen oxide, particulate matter or soot, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the air.

Working with local businesses, Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision said it has eliminated more than 37,500 tons of diesel pollution since it launched it Clean Diesel program in 2009.

Category: General Update, Green, News