Wednesday 20 May 2020

EPA awards $1.4m grant to the University of Puerto Rico to reduce diesel emissions

EPA awards $1.4m grant to the University of Puerto Rico to reduce diesel emissions

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will fund the University of Puerto Rico with $1.4 million (£1.1m) to reduce diesel emissions.

It says the funding will help the university to replace 15 old heavy-duty trucks and support its plans to develop seminars for diesel vehicle owners and the general public in Puerto Rico to raise awareness about the harmful environmental impacts of diesel emissions.

It is estimated that this grant will reduce particulate matter emissions by 3.2 tonnes and nitrogen oxide emissions by 43.3 tonnes for the lifetime of the new vehicles.

The work for this grant which will begin immediately and continue until the spring of 2022 will see the replacement of trucks with engine model years from 1996-2006 with 2013 or newer vehicles.

The funds will be targeted to areas, which are affected by the transportation of goods by drayage trucks going to and from the Port of San Juan.

Pete Lopez, EPA Regional Administrator, said: "Puerto Rico has high asthma rates. This grant will be a great step toward improving public health and air quality in the areas surrounding the Port of San Juan."

Aluisio Pimenta, Professor at the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico, commented: “We are delighted to be a grant recipient and continue our important work of reducing diesel emissions in Puerto Rico.

“Our ultimate goal is to reduce asthma rates and improve overall health for Puerto Ricans.”

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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