State Air Quality Program Offers Incentives to Reduce Diesel Emissions

from "Public Policy Update", Breathe Easy news magazine, Fall 2001/Winter 2002

THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION of California helped secure an additional $19 million for the Carl Moyer Air Quality Attainment program in the 2001-2002 state budget, which is aimed at reducing diesel emissions. The association continued to support efforts to transition to non-diesel technology and retrofit and replace the dirtiest diesel engines. The program offers incentive grants for the replacement and retrofitting of diesel engines used by trucks and other heavy-duty equipment.

About 525, 000 heavy-duty diesel trucks are driven throughout the state, with another 680, 000 diesel-fueled engines used in construction and agriculture.

These engines are a significant source of smog- forming pollutants and fine particulate matter exhaust, which is a toxic air contaminant.