Leonardo Academy Awarded $900,000 for Clean Diesel Projects

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Madison, WI – November 30, 2011 – Leonardo Academy has been awarded $900,000 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 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 (MCDI) 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 emissions from agricultural and construction equipment, marine vessels, school buses, and long-haul trucks. Anticipated emission reduction strategies for this project include engine repowers and idle reduction technologies. It is estimated that the projects will reduce over 3,800 tons of carbon dioxide, 490 tons of nitrogen oxides and 10 tons of particulate matter. 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 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 to drive 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 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 agreements totaling $50 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

Should a fleet or organization be interested in signing up for future funding opportunities, please contact Andrea Bachrach, Sustainability Project Specialist, at (608) 280-0255 or email andrea@leonardoacademy.org.

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