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 ------- |