(Madison, WI, January 22, 2013) – The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Leonardo Academy a $1,600,000 Diesel Emission Reduction Act Grant.  Since 2008, EPA has funded nearly 60,000 pieces of clean diesel technology through the National Clean Diesel Campaign. The projects help improve local and national air quality by deploying proven technologies much earlier than would otherwise occur. Leonardo Academy’s award will impact an estimated 50 diesel engines in EPA Region 5, throughout the Upper Midwest.

Leonardo Academy anticipates partnering with a variety of organizations including, trucking companies, public transit fleets, school bus operators, construction companies and airline ground fleets. The funds will assist a range of projects to reduce diesel emissions. Several fleets will replace outdated diesel trucks with new natural gas vehicles, expanding the use of alternative fuels throughout the Midwest. The remaining projects will use the grant funding to assist in the implementation of exhaust control technologies or engine repowers. These projects are estimated to reduce over 30 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx), 1.3 tons of particulate matter (PM), 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) and 110,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year.

“Leonardo Academy recognizes the environmental benefits of reducing harmful emissions throughout multiple sectors of the economy and continues to develop sustainability strategies for people, companies and organizations that engage progress toward environmental and social equity achievements.” explained Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy.  “We look forward to extending the success of our Sustainable Transportation Program to a broader range of stakeholders, organizations and fleets.”

Leonardo Academy is a co-chair of the Wisconsin Clean Diesel Coalition (WCDC) and Steering Committee member for the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative (MCDI). The WCDC is a collaborative of diesel fleets, engine manufacturers, government agencies and other non profit and private stakeholders that have joined efforts to voluntarily explore, develop and implement mobile diesel emission reduction strategies in Wisconsin to support the MCDI’s goal of impacting 1 million diesel engines. MCDI is a collaboration of federal, state and local agencies located primarily in Region 5, with communities, non-profits and private companies, working together to reduce emissions from diesel engines in the Midwest.

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

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/.