California hands out cash to curb diesel emissions

Diesel emissions in California could get a big reduction with $221 million new government funding to clean up particulate matter.

The state's Air Resources Board approved the cash for projects that are estimated to cut nearly 30,000 tons of diesel pollution.

The board said the allocation would put $122 million for the Los Angeles-Inland Empire trade corridor, $55 million for Central Valley, $31 million for the Bay Area, and $13 million for the San Diego-Border region.

"This is a grand move toward our ultimate goal of cleaning up the air," said Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the Air Resources Board.

"With regulations in place and funding for early compliance, California is on its way to significantly reduce the number of people affected by diesel soot."

According to the board, a total of $198.4 million would be used to upgrade over 8,200 trucks with cleaner equipment and engines.

Another $16.5 million is slated for 18 new locomotives, and $2.5 million will go toward shore electric power for cargo ships docking at the Port of San Diego.

The board said $4.3 million would be available for 17 freight-related harbor craft.

The projects to be funded are expected to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 26,900 tons and particulate matter by 1,800 tons.

The Air Resources Board said the funding would be focused on projects that quickly reduce emissions and achieve benefits throughout the state, with 94 percent of the total cash going toward cleaner trucks and locomotives that may travel within multiple corridors.

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