Lautenberg Applauds Recovery Investment to Reduce Diesel Emissions at Port Authority

Lautenberg Applauds Recovery Investment to Reduce Diesel Emissions at Port Authority

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today applauded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for awarding the metropolitan region with $17 million in Recovery Act funding to reduce diesel emissions and create jobs.  The funding includes $9.8 million for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to replace old trucks with newer, cleaner models and reduce diesel emissions from idling cruise ships.     

"Investing in new vehicles and technology to reduce diesel emissions at our ports will dramatically improve air quality in New Jersey and the entire region.  This federal investment will help remove some of the dirtiest trucks from our ports and put people to work installing energy-saving infrastructure.  The Port Authority's Clean Air Strategy is a worthy initiative that will help strengthen the economy and build a cleaner energy future," stated Sen. Lautenberg.

A member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. Lautenberg supported the Port Authority's Clean Air Strategy in a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson citing the potential for Recovery Act funding to dramatically reduce diesel emissions in New Jersey and the greater metropolitan area.

The Port Authority will be awarded $7,000,000 through the Regional Truck Replacement Program to replace as many as 636 trucks made in 1993 or earlier with newer models made in 2004 or later.

The Port Authority will also be awarded $2.8 million to install land-side electrical infrastructure at cruise terminals for vessels to utilize shore power while docked, improving regional air quality by eliminating the need to operate wasteful on-board generators.

Citing the environmental and economic benefits of reducing harmful emissions, Sen. Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, recently fought to include $300 million for the Diesel Emissions Reductions Program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  President Obama signed the Recovery Act into law in February and an additional $60 million has been included in a Senate measure to fund Interior Department programs for the upcoming year.  

###