PHOENIX (February 11, 2021) – The Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) is pleased to announce it has chosen seven organizations as the 2020 program year State Clean Diesel Grant Program subaward recipients. The State Clean Diesel Grant Program is part of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funded through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
MCAQD administers the Environmental Protection Agency’s DERA State Clean Diesel Grant Program, which is designed to improve air quality by reducing diesel emissions. The DERA program provides assistance to public and private organizations within Maricopa County in replacing their older diesel vehicles for newer, cleaner fuel burning vehicles. This year the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) provided matching funds for the program.
“Reducing diesel emissions creates a healthier environment for our residents. This year, our partnership with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, through the DERA program, is supporting the use of modern, cleaner burning vehicles including our first two, zero-emissions, all-electric school buses,” Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers commented.
MCAQD’s Director, Philip McNeely, remarked, “Participating in EPA’s DERA program is an important component in reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and improving Maricopa County’s air quality. We value our partnerships with ADEQ and the Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition in contributing to this beneficial program for reducing diesel emissions.”
“ADEQ is pleased to continue our partnership with MCAQD to award funds that leverage public and private investments in cleaner burning vehicles,” said ADEQ Air Quality Division Director Daniel Czecholinski. “This year we were able to fund replacement of diesel vehicles in both Maricopa and Yuma Counties. Reducing diesel vehicle emissions will improve the lives of Arizona residents and continue Arizona’s progress with meeting federal air quality standards.”
An agreement with Sysco Food Services will provide up to $103,000 in funds to replace two 2004 and two 2006 Class 8 short haulers with four 2020 Class 8 short haulers. Matching funds of 75% will be provided by Sysco Corporation.
An agreement with Phoenix Union High School District will provide up to $198,900 in funds to replace one 2008 diesel school bus with one 2021 zero-emissions all-electric school bus. Matching funds of 55% will be provided by Phoenix Union High School District.
An agreement with Cartwright School District will provide up to $198,630 in funds to replace one 2007 diesel school bus with one 2021 zero-emissions all-electric school bus. Matching funds of 55% will be provided by Cartwright School District.
An agreement with White Water, LLC will provide up to $60,488 in funds to replace one 1997 Class 7 five-gallon water delivery truck and one 1999 Class 6 box delivery short hauler with one 2021 Class 7 five-gallon water delivery truck and one 2021 Class 6 box delivery short hauler. Matching funds of 75% will be provided by White Water, LLC.
An agreement with Avondale Elementary School District will provide up to $40,000 in funds to replace one 2008 diesel school bus with one 2022 cleaner burning diesel school bus. Matching funds of 75% will be provided by Avondale Elementary School District.
An agreement with Yuma Elementary School District will provide up to $48,989 in funds to replace one 2004 diesel school bus with one 2021 propane school bus. Matching funds of 72% will be provided by Yuma Elementary School District.
An agreement with Yuma Union High School District will provide up to $92,000 in funds to replace two 2005 diesel school buses with two 2021 propane school buses. Matching funds of 73% will be provided by Yuma Union High School District.
For more information, please visit.
###
About Maricopa County Air Quality Department
MCAQD’s mission is to improve the air of Maricopa County so customers, residents, and visitors can live, work, and play in a healthy environment. MCAQD is governed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and follows air quality standards set forth by the federal Clean Air Act. For air quality information and resources, visit CleanAirMakeMore.com.
Media Contact: Maria Bonilla - 602-506-7856 desk / 602-396-0527 cell, or maria.bonilla@maricopa.gov
Follow us on Instagram: @maricopacountycleanair
Follow us on Twitter: @cleanairmakemor
Like us on Facebook: @CleanAirMakeMore
Download MCAQD’s Clean Air Make More app! It is free to download and use and is available on iTunes for iPhone and iPad and on Google Play for Android.