HARRISBURG, PA-- Governor Edward G. Rendell announced yesterday that the commonwealth has been successful in attracting nearly $5 million in competitive grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to reduce diesel pollution and protect jobs.
The Department of Environmental Protection, in coordination with Norfolk Southern and GE, will use a $1.5 million grant to replace two pre-1973 four-axle 2,000 horsepower engines with one larger engine with advanced technology, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and improved diesel emission reductions. The project will keep employees working at Norfolk Southern's Juniata Locomotive Shop.
"This investment protects the jobs not only of the workers who rebuild the locomotives, but also the workers who depend on the trains they power," Governor Rendell said. "As a bonus, the project will slash emissions of air pollutants and fine particles that can harm the health and quality of life of Pennsylvanians."
In addition to the grant to DEP, the Allegheny County Health Department received a $3.49 million grant to replace transit buses with diesel hybrids and repower others; retrofit dump trucks with diesel particulate filters; and repower a switch locomotive.
Pennsylvanians also will benefit from a $4.3 million grant to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association will fund a wide range of diesel projects in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, including replacing transit buses and off-road engines, retrofitting dump trucks, replacing cement trucks and repowering boats.
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
www.governor.state.pa.us
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