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Rhode Island Receives Economic Recovery Funds to Reduce Diesel Emissions, Create Jobs

Release Date: 04/15/2009
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – April 15, 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 Rhode Island, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1.73 million to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. 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.

“This is part of the nationwide clean energy transition that is clearing the air and creating millions of jobs across America,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Communities using innovative measures to cut harmful diesel emissions are cutting costs, creating jobs, and keeping people healthy.”

“This Recovery Act funding will provide a great boost to Clean Air investments in Rhode Island,” said Ira Leighton, acting regional administrator for EPA’s New England office. “This money will help the state to bolster its economy, protect public health and create green jobs that improve air quality.”

The funds provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 will go to the state's air resources program. The ARRA funds will specifically fund the retrofit and replacement of a number of state-owned and municipal-owned diesel equipment from multiple state agencies and municipalities. Shore power facilities will be installed or upgraded at state-owned ports. Facilities at Quonset Point, Galilee and Newport are being considered.

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.

More information:

- New England environmental work under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (http://epa.gov/region1/eparecovery/index.html)

- EPA’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (https://www.epa.gov/recovery)

- EPA clean diesel work in New England (http://epa.gov/region1/topics/air/dieselexhaust.html)

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