The goal of the West Coast Collaborative is to leverage federal funds to strategically reduce emissions from the most polluting diesel sources in
impacted communities. The Collaborative seeks to improve air quality and public health by targeting the highest polluting engines with the most cost
effective control strategies.
DERA 2013: Reducing
School Bus Emissions in
Guam
The West Coast Collaborative (WCC) is pleased to
announce the Guam Environmental Protection Agency's
(Guam EPA's) receipt of a United States Environmental
Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Diesel Emissions
Reduction Act (DERA) State Clean Diesel Program grant
to retrofit heavy-duty diesel school buses. This project will
be implemented using $17,978 in DERA grant funding.
What is the Project?
This project will be implemented through a partnership
between the U.S. EPA, Guam EPA and Guam Department of
Public Works fleets to install Diesel Oxidation Catalysts
(DOCs) and closed crankcase ventilation system retrofits on
an estimated 13 heavy-duty school buses operating throughout
Guam,
Why is this project important?
This project's primary objective is to improve the environmental
health of children by partnering with local school bus owners to
install diesel exhaust retrofits on eligible buses. Exposure to
diesel exhaust has been associated with decreased lung
function and retarded lung development and can also
exacerbate the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and
pneumonia. This project will reduce children's exposure to
diesel emissions as well as the negative health effects
associated with exposure. Expected unquantifiable benefits of
the project include increased awareness of the need to
improve air quality, particularly among parents, school officials
and others concerned with child health and welfare.
What are the Environmental Benefits?
Over the remaining lifetime of the 13 affected engines, these
upgrades are estimated to reduce emissions of fine particulate
matter (PM2.5) by 0,3 tons, hydrocarbons (HC) by 1.1 tons,
and carbon monoxide (CO) by 4.7 tons. Additionally, the
reduction of PM2.5 emissions will also reduce black carbon
(BC), which influences climate by directly absorbing light,
reducing the reflectivity ("albedo") of snow and ice through
deposition, and interacting with clouds.
Who are the Partners on this project?
The project will be led by Guam EPA, a territorial agency
tasked with protecting air quality in Guam, in partnership with
the Guam Department of Public Works. Guam EPA will be
responsible for data monitoring and reporting for the project.
What is the Collaborative?
The WCC is an ambitious partnership between leaders from
federal, state, local, and tribal government, the private sector,
and environmental groups committed to reducing diesel
emissions along the West Coast. Partners come from all over
Western North America, including: Alaska, Arizona, California,
Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, the Pacific
Islands, Canada and Mexico, and Asian-Pacific. The WCC is
part of the U.S. EPA National Clean Diesel Campaign
(www.epa.gov/cleandiesel).
How can I find out more Information?
For more information on the WCC, please visit our website,
www, westcoastcol laborative. org

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