Oct 10, 2006 8:54 am US/Central
EPA Grant To Help Truckers Reduce Emissions
NCTCOG Receives $300K EPA Grant To Clean Air
by Jack Fink
(CBS 11 News)
Nearly 38 percent of all of the emissions produced on North Texas highways and streets comes from big rigs.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area fails to comply with federal air quality standards, but must do so by 2009.
Stephens Transport of Dallas is one of many that voluntarily spends more to buy aerodynamic trucks because they end up saving the company in the long run.
Chet Hebner, a senior vice-president at Stevens Transport, said the equipment enhances fuel economy because fuel is out biggest control item for than industry.
Regional transportation and environmental planners hope efforts by Stevens Transport and other companies will help clear the air.
The federal government is optimistic other North Texas companies will do the same after a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency $300,000 grant.
Carrie Reese of the North Central Texas Council of Governments stressed any step the area can take will be helpful.
"EPA estimates these SmartWay programs will cut 'nox' or tail pipe emissions -- our primary concern -- up to 20 percent," she said.
NCTCOG will use the grant to work with transport companies to test new pollution reduction technology on local long-haul delivery routes equipment on 30 to 50 trucks.
An auxiliary power unit will allow truckers to turn off their engines rather than leave them idling while at a rest stop.
Idling consumes fuel and produces pollution. According to the NCTCOG, tests show these kits can reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 15 percent. They also reduce pollution and carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions are cut 10 to15 percent.
"We're reducing emissions and even though the APU is producing emissions, it does it in such a small amount compared to the truck itself," Hebner said.
The company hopes 200 of its 1,700 trucks will have the auxiliary power units by the end of the year.
Officials anticipate the grant money could be awarded to companies for the one-year study by March.
(CBS 11 News)
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