PRESS RELEASE
April 7, 2008

Legislators Seek Funding to Improve Diesel Emissions

Members of the majority of the Rensselaer County Legislature said they have asked the county Environmental Management Council director to seek funds recently made available by the federal government to reduce the impacts from diesel locomotive engines.

Legislators are hopeful some of the federal funding can be used to diesel engines operating in Rensselaer County. The county has received concerns in recent years from residents in Rensselaer and the Eagle Bridge area of Hoosick Falls regarding emissions from trains.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has made $50 million available nationwide to clean-up diesel engines, including locomotive engines. The funding was announced on April 2 by EPA and is available to state and local governments.

The EPA recently set strict new standards aimed at reducing harmful emissions from the operation of diesel engines, including locomotives. The grant funding will help companies and organizations that rely on diesel engines to meet the new standards.

“The EPA has made it a priority to improve air quality by lowering emissions from diesel engines. We want to see what funding is available from the federal government to help in this effort,” said Legislator Alex Shannon, chairman of the Legislature’s Environmental Committee.

“We have heard concerns from residents living near rail yards in Rensselaer and Hoosick Falls, and hope federal funding can be obtained to reduce emissions from trains in these areas,” added Legislator Stan Brownell.

Along with helping reduce emissions from locomotives, legislators said they would like to see if the EPA funding can be used to reduce emissions from any diesel engines operated by the county. In addition, legislators said they would like the EMC to also reach out to local governments and school districts to offer assistance in seeking the federal funding.

The federal grants can help offset costs to local taxpayers for any upgrades or repairs needed to bring diesel engines into compliance with the new EPA emissions standards.

“This is obviously a priority for the federal government, and now is the time to pursue this funding. After this moves off the radar screen in Washington, there may not be as much federal funding available,” said Legislator Laura Bauer, a member of the Environmental Committee.

 Support Freedom - Support Our Troops

Back