LANSING – State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) today encouraged owners and operators of diesel engine vehicles and equipment to apply for $1.5 million in grants through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to replace and upgrade their equipment with newer, cleaner-burning engines.
"These grants will go a long way toward making the diesels on Michigan roads much cleaner," Brown said. "Our air, water and land are so important to our lives in the Thumb, and we must do all we can to protect those resources. Cleaner-burning engines will help reduce our impact on the air quality and overall human health."
The funding, which comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is part of the National Clean Diesel
Campaign that aims to lessen the level of pollutants that negatively impact human health and natural resources. The DEQ
is accepting aplications for the Michigan Clean Diesel Recovery and Reinvestment Project through June 15. Applications
for projects can include anti-idling and retrofit equipment, as well as engine, vehicle and equipment upgrades or
replacements for a variety of diesel engine fleet types including school buses, medium and heavy duty trucks, marine,
locomotive, construction industry equipment and stationary energy production engines.
The application and additional information are available online by visiting the DEQ Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deq.
"Our continued efforts to expand 'green' technology will help diversify our economy and get Michigan workers back on the job," Brown said. "As these industries continue to develop, we must position Michigan to be a leader in 'green' technology and alternative energy."