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Idaho Receives Economic Recovery Funding from U.S. EPA to Reduce Diesel Emissions, Create Jobs

Release Date: 04/09/2009
Contact Information: Pam Emerson, EPA/Seattle 206-553-2858, [email protected]; Mark MacIntyre, EPA/Seattle, 206-553-7302, [email protected]

Clean diesel projects reduce early deaths, asthma attacks, other health problems

(Seattle, Washington – April 9, 2009) – In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, reduce diesel emissions and protect human health and the environment for the people in the State of Idaho, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1.73 million to The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The funding can be used to support clean diesel projects and loan programs to address the nation’s existing fleet of over 11 million diesel engines.

"These cost-effective projects will help Idaho speed its journey to recovery,” said EPA Acting Region 10 Administrator Michelle Pirzadeh. "This funding will bolster the state's economy and create new, green jobs that will improve air quality in Idaho.”
Funds provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 will go to the state's Idaho Clean Air Zone program. In addition to helping to create and retain jobs, the clean diesel projects would reduce premature deaths, asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, lost work days, and many other health impacts every year.

Under ARRA’s State clean diesel funding program, $88.2 million is divided equally through a noncompetitive allocation process, meaning that all 50 states and the District of Columbia will receive $1.73 million.

States, local governments, non-profits and tribal agencies can also compete for a portion of $206 million under ARRA’s National clean diesel funding program.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009 and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at Recovery.gov.

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For information on EPA’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 nationally, visit https://www.epa.gov/recovery/

For information about EPA’s clean diesel initiatives, visit https://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel

For more about Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s “Clean Air Zone Idaho” program: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air/educ_tools/clean_air_zone_idaho/index.cfm

For Information about Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s School Bus Retrofit Program: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air/educ_tools/clean_air_zone_idaho/diesel_retrofit_program_brochure2.pdf