For Release: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
NYS Environmental Board Approves Diesel Retrofits for All Heavy-duty State-owned and Contractor Vehicles
Requirement Will Significantly Reduce Harmful Pollutants Spewing from Exhausts
The New York State Environmental Board today unanimously approved regulations that will lead to a major reduction in air pollution emitted by heavy-duty diesel trucks. The regulations require that all such vehicles owned by New York State agencies and authorities and by contractors working on behalf of the state be retrofitted to decrease emissions by Dec. 31, 2010.
Diesel exhaust is associated with a number of health issues, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease and even premature death. In addition to harmful particles that can lodge in the lungs, diesel exhaust contains a number of toxic contaminants and is a contributor to the formation of ground-level ozone. Installation of retrofit control technology on the diesel engines in New York State will reduce emissions of both the particulate matter (PM), as well as the associated toxic contaminants. Roughly 30,000 state-owned vehicles will be impacted.
"Reducing these emissions is another step in the right direction to improve air quality in New York State and protect the health of our residents," said Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis, who also chairs the Environmental Board. "Diesel engines are a major source of harmful particulate matter in New York State and while new engines are subject to stringent requirements for particulate matter, older, existing engines are not. Since diesel engines are very durable and function for many years, it is important to reduce emissions from these vehicles as well. These new regulations address this issue by requiring that older engines become equipped with the latest retrofit technology."
Flexibility Provided
The regulations require vehicles use the "Best Available Retrofit Technology," which can vary with vehicle type. Depending on type, retrofitting can reduce a heavy-duty diesel's PM emissions by 25-85 percent.
Because the state recognized that no retrofit technology exists for some vehicles, the regulations allow for owners of such vehicles to apply for a waiver from the requirements. The ability to retrofit an engine depends on a number of factors, including the engine age, engine technology and the duty cycle of the vehicle. The regulations also require the same vehicles to use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, which will further reduce harmful emissions.
Major state agencies directly impacted by the regulations include the Department of Transportation, Office of General Services, Thruway Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Capital District Transportation Authority, Niagara Frontier Regional Transportation Authority, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, Central New York Regional Transportation Authority and DEC, as well as their contractors.
