Leonardo Academy Awarded $600,000 for Clean Diesel Projects
(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) Madison, Wisconsin - October 5, 2010 - Leonardo Academy has been awarded $600,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency 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 5 and the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative awarded the grant as part of the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.
Leonardo Academy will use the grant for clean diesel projects in Wisconsin that significantly reduce fuel emissions from long-haul trucks, school bus and municipal bus fleets. Anticipated emission reduction strategies for this project include aerodynamic technologies, rolling resistance tires, retrofit technologies, engine emission upgrades, and idle reduction technologies. 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, MCDI, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air,” 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.”
Leonardo Academy is also a member of the Wisconsin Clean Diesel Coalition (WCDC). The WCDC is a collaborative of diesel fleets, engine manufacturers, government agencies, and other nonprofit and private stakeholders, that have joined efforts to voluntarily explore, develop and implement mobile diesel emission reduction strategies in Wisconsin. WCDC focuses on educational outreach and development of funding mechanisms to accelerate emission reductions from diesel fleets.
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.
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 90 assistance agreements totaling $156 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
In November 2010, EPA will release a new RFP for DERA grant applications. This next funding round will likely include $60 million to be split among all DERA national and state program components. Parties interested in pursuing funding are recommended to partner with eligible entities such as regional, State, local or tribal agencies (or intertribal consortia) or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and nonprofit organizations or institutions that a) represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets; or b) have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality. For more information contact Andrea Bachrach at (608) 280-0255 or email andrea@leonardoacademy.org.
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