$9 Million for Cleaner Skies in Texas

Dallas, Texas, April 9, 2008 -- Cleaner skies are coming to North Texas thanks to the robust participation of local businesses in the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP).

TERP has awarded over $9 million in rebates to upgrade or replace 113 of the dirtiest heavy-duty diesel engines and diesel-powered equipment in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The participation of a wide array of individuals and businesses from the agricultural, construction, hauling, trucking and related sectors will make it possible for North Texans to breathe cleaner air by preventing 931 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

“North Texas is currently not meeting federal air quality standards, so every diesel engine or diesel- powered equipment that operates cleaner can make a difference to anyone who suffers from respiratory problems such as asthma,” said Leslie Rauscher, EPA Project Manager. “The state is making this financial opportunity available and local businesses are responding, which is very encouraging.” So far Texas has awarded $30 million in rebates state-wide, and is making another $110 million available in grants, but time to apply is running out.

TERP applications must be submitted by April 11, 2008. Individual application assistance will be available until April 10 at Community Help Desks in Dallas and Denton. For more information, interested applicants can visit terpgrants.org.

TERP is managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and serves as a national model for replacing or retrofitting older diesel engines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports local efforts to encourage participation in TERP as a way to improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

More about activities in EPA Region 6: epa.gov/region6

Source: EPA

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