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06/12/2023

DEEP Announces $1.46 Million to Support Clean Air Vehicle and Equipment Projects in Connecticut

Eight Projects Receive Funding Under 2022 State Diesel Grant

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the awarding of more than $1.46 million to support the state’s efforts to reduce diesel air pollution. The eight projects announced today are part of the 2022 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) State Grant Program.

 

DERA, which is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides money for states to fund newer, cleaner vehicles and equipment to improve air quality. Administered through DEEP as a rebate program, Connecticut is awarding these funds to both reduce air pollution and help towns and businesses begin the transition away from fossil fuels towards electrified vehicles and equipment.

“The importance of air quality has been front and center in the minds of most people in the region the last few days with the record levels of unhealthy air quality we’ve had,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “It’s fitting to share today one of the ways we’re continuing the work to make the air cleaner and safer to breathe in Connecticut by deploying new emissions-reducing technology. We are excited to announce significant investments in new electric vehicles and other projects that will reduce transportation-related pollution in some of Connecticut’s communities that are inequitably overburdened by air pollution from diesel vehicles.”

Three of the selected projects will replace diesel vehicles with electric vehicle (EV) equivalents, while another three are replacing diesel marine engines with newer, cleaner engines.

“Following up on the recent unveiling of DEEP’s new cutting-edge mobile air quality monitoring vehicle, today’s announcement continues our efforts to clean our air and protect our health from harmful environmental pollution,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “Unprecedented high levels of fine particle pollution from the Quebec wildfires last week are an acute reminder that clean air is important. That’s why we’re working together with companies across the state, as this funding supports businesses in Connecticut who want to make a difference in their community by upgrading heavy-duty engines with cleaner options.”

The 2022 DERA funds will be used for eligible projects that reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines. Older diesel engines emit large amounts of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, which are linked to instances of aggravated asthma, lung damage, and other serious health problems. The fine particles in diesel exhaust, as small as a fraction of the diameter of a human hair, pose serious health risks by aggravating asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Children are especially vulnerable to these effects. The Northeast has some of the highest asthma rates in the nation; the Connecticut Department of Public Health indicates that in 2021, 8.9 percent of children in the state suffered from asthma. 

Solicitation for the State DERA grants concluded in November 2022, and attracted 15 applications requesting $2.6 million in funding. DEEP ultimately selected eight proposals to fund, with a preference for marine projects and projects replacing diesel equipment with electric equivalents.

The eight projects awarded 2022 DERA funds will mitigate over 25 tons of excess NOx emissions over the lifetime of the projects. The projects will also remove nearly 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a pollutant which contributes to climate change. That emissions reduction equates to removing more than 6,600 cars from the road.  Seven out of the eight proposals awarded in this round of funding address equipment operating within at least one environmental justice community. 

The projects awarded under the 2022 DERA State Grant Program include:

Waterfront Enterprises, LLC (DBA Gateway Terminal)

  • Project Description:  Replacement of a model year (MY) 2001 diesel-powered terminal tractor with a MY 2003 EV equivalent.
  • Amount Awarded:  $159,504.41
  • Cost Share:  $196,012.59
  • Annual Reductions:  0.356 tons NOx, 28.5 tons CO2
  • Project Location:  New Haven, CT

SMM New England Corp. (DBA Sims Metals)

  • Project Description:  Replace a Tier 2, 2004 Sennebogen 835M, diesel-powered scrap metal material handler with an electric, 2023 Sennebogen 850 A-Special "E" material handler.
  • Amount Awarded:  $607,400.10
  • Cost Share:  $746,424.90
  • Annual Reductions:  0.36 tons NOx, 167.5 tons CO2
  • Project Location:  New Haven, CT

Stamford Uniform, Linen, Towel and Napkin LLC

  • Project Description:  Replace a class 6, 2014, diesel-powered Hino 268 and a class 5, 2019, diesel-powered Isuzu NPR with 2023 and 2023/2024 Kenworth K270E electric box trucks and install one Paccar CM120-1-002 dual port charger.
  • Amount Awarded:  $368,756.87
  • Cost Share:  $453,159.79
  • Annual Reductions:  0.135 tons NOx, 1,518.8 tons CO2
  • Project Location:  Fairfield County, CT

Captain John’s Sport Fishing Center

  • Project Description:  Repower the Sunbeam VI, a commercial charter boat from a Tier 0 to a Tier 3 Cummins QSL engine.
  • Amount Awarded:  $60,340.39
  • Cost Share:  $90,962.89
  • Annual Reductions:  1.935 tons NOx
  • Project Location:  Long Island Sound

Connecticut Department of Transportation (Rocky Hill/Glastonbury River Ferry)

  • Project Description:  Replace a Tier 2, 2013 John Deere marine engine with an EPA certified, Tier 3 Cummins QSL9 marine engine and transmission.
  • Amount Awarded:  $37,466.45
  • Cost Share:  $56,480.49
  • Annual Reductions:  0.704 tons NOx
  • Project Location:  Long Island Sound

Seaview Fisheries, LLC

  • Project Description:  Replace a 1975 diesel engine with new diesel-powered equivalent.
  • Amount Awarded:  $21,934.24
  • Cost Share:  $33,065.76
  • Annual Reductions:  1.427 tons NOx
  • Project Location:  Long Island Sound

William Wilczek/Fishing Vessel Susan LLC

  • Project Description:  Replace a Tier 0, diesel engine (1998 John Deere Series 300 Engine 6.8l) and powertrain in the commercial Fishing Vessel Susan, and repower with a new Tier 3, marine emission certified compliant marine diesel propulsion engine with matching powertrain (John Deere 4045SFM85 4.5L PowerTech).
  • Amount Awarded:  $36,839.60
  • Cost Share:  $55,535.54
  • Annual Reductions:  0.818 tons NOx
  • Project Location:  Niantic River, Thames River, eastern Long Island Sound, Fishers Island Sound, and Block Island Sound

O&G Industries, Inc.

  • Project Description:  Replace two 22+ year old Oshkosh model S-2346 front discharge mixers with two 2023 Oshkosh model S-2305 front discharge mixers.
  • Amount Awarded:  $169,175.76
  • Cost Share:  $509,556.24
  • Annual Reductions:  0.563 tons NOx, 46.6 tons CO2
  • Project Location:  Bridgeport, CT
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