Get More Clean Air for the VW Settlement Dollar

Washington, Feb. 20, 2018 -- Today, the Diesel Technology Forum (the Forum) unveiled a new webpage and widget to help states determine the fastest, most cost-effective manner to gain cleaner air using funds from the $2.9 billion Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust (the VW settlement).

Volkswagen’s settlement provides funding for states to upgrade or repower older vehicles and equipment to rapidly reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) that contribute to ground level ozone, or smog.

“States have an extraordinary opportunity to make an immediate investment in clean air,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Forum. “Technology that is available now, like clean diesel, offers a far greater impact for NOx reduction than other, more aspirational options. While the VW settlement provides flexibility for states to decide how to spend the dollars, some options will provide more clean air benefits for the dollar and provide those faster than other approaches.”

The Forum’s new webpage provides a state-by-state breakdown of funding allocations, lead agencies and deadlines for comments. Interactive widgets and infographics also visualize the cost-effectiveness of investing in clean diesel solutions, an effective option to help states maximize the clean air benefits from the VW settlement. Simply select a state from the dropdown menu to see what options gain that state the most benefit from the VW settlement dollar. The page also depicts each state’s ability to streamline the number of projects; often, the emissions reductions gained by replacing just one of the oldest, largest engines is equivalent to converting hundreds of thousands of passenger vehicles to zero-emission options.

Replacing the oldest technology with the newest clean diesel option is often the most cost-effective, immediate method for states to gain the greatest amount of clean air for the VW settlement dollar.

“To reduce 1 ton of NOx, which option would you choose: invest $176,000 in a new Class 8 clean diesel port truck; spend $214,000 for a compressed natural gas port truck; or hold $330,000 until the proper type of battery electric truck is developed,” said Schaeffer. “That’s the type of question our new resource helps states answer.”

For example, consider a state that needs to reduce 600 tons of NOx emissions to achieve clean air compliance. This can be accomplished immediately by replacing 936 older commercial trucks or 32 older switch engine locomotives. According to the Forum’s data, similar NOx reductions would require 923,077 electric vehicles on the road, something unlikely to happen in a certain timeframe.

“The bottom line: clean diesel investments yield faster reductions in NOx emissions at a lower cost,” said Schaeffer. “Clean diesel offers states more clean air for the dollar, faster.”

For more information on how clean diesel upgrades and replacements will provide more clean air benefits for the dollar and provide those faster than other approaches, visit https://www.dieselforum.org/vwfund.

The Forum’s webinar guides to how cost-effective investments across the wide variety of vehicles and equipment can generate the most clean-air benefits are also available as a resource.

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About The Diesel Technology Forum

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information, visit www.dieselforum.org.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b8c9c06-dfdf-4260-aa48-074e8b171b6f

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72ec9771-9c39-466a-b5cc-5b56ee0a41c5

Sarah Dirndorfer
Diesel Technology Forum
301-668-7230
[email protected]