(Madison, WI, July 23, 2012) – Leonardo Academy, through a grant provided by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, is facilitating efforts to reduce emissions among eleven central Wisconsin cranberry farmers. The project will help offset the cost of repowering twenty diesel irrigation pumps to achieve better fuel efficiency and help improve air quality. Funds have been awarded to Twin Lake Cranberry, Elm Lake Cranberry Co., Perry Creek Cranberry Corporation, Owen Rock Cranberries, Cranberry Creek Cranberries, Inc., Dandy Creek Cranberries, LLC, JDH Cranberries, LLC, Wisconsin River Cranberry, Lester Cranberry, Whittlesey Cranberry and Fanning Cranberry.  Over the lifetime of the 20 engines it is estimated that 13.5 tons of nitrogen oxides, 1.5 tons of particulate matter and 425 tons of carbon dioxide will be reduced.  

Today it is estimated that there are between 9,000 and 11,000 stationary diesel agricultural engines operating throughout central Wisconsin.  Like many older diesel engines, Wisconsin’s in-use stationary diesel agricultural engines emit particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that have the potential to cause adverse health effects to operators and people in neighboring communities.  

Leonardo Academy is working with Roberts Irrigation of Plover, Wisconsin to ensure the proper installation of the new engines.  According to Paul Roberts, President of Roberts Irrigation, “We believe that this project will be a vital step in encouraging other farming communities throughout the Midwest to explore opportunities to reduce emissions and achieve better fuel efficiency from their diesel engines.”

Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy, added, “Leonardo Academy is dedicated to developing sustainability strategies for people, companies and organizations that engage progress in environmental and social equity achievements in driving economic success.  Part of Leonardo Academy’s goal in advocating the EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign is to improve air quality by reducing emissions from all types of diesel-fueled engines throughout Wisconsin.  We looked forward to the continued success of this program.”

About the EPA’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program
The Diesel Emissions Reduction National Program (DERA) authorized by Title VII, Subtitle G (Sections 791 to 797) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) enables EPA to offer funding assistance to eligible entities on a competitive basis. Fiscal Year 2008 was the inaugural year of funding for DERA. Approximately 60 assistance agreements totaling over $28 million were awarded nationwide through EPA’s FY08 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program’s regional competitions. In addition, on February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law No. 111-05) (Recovery Act) which provided funding for DERA.

Under the Recovery Act funding for the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, EPA awarded agreements totaling $50 million for projects that demonstrated the ability to be commenced expeditiously, reduce diesel emissions, and maximize job creation and/or preservation and economic recovery through a variety of diesel emission reduction strategies. Specific information on these funded projects can be found at: epa.gov/cleandiesel/projects/.

Upcoming Opportunities 
Should a fleet or organization be interested in signing up for future funding opportunities, please contact Leonardo Academy or Roberts Irrigation as soon as possible. For application guidelines, contact Andrea Bachrach at (608)280-0255 or Roberts Irrigation, General Manger Dave Zywicki at (715)344-4747.

About Roberts Irrigation
Roberts Irrigation is the Midwest’s irrigation expert offering turnkey service, from application analysis and system design through complete installation and service. Roberts provides irrigation systems for crop irrigation, frost protection, processed water dispersal, and dust control. Roberts relies on the most comprehensive selection of system components in the area, a highly trained staff of irrigation specialists, a large inventory of over one million dollars of parts in stock, and over 45 years of experience.