At a news conference on Jan. 30, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Southwest Region Administrator Mike Stoker announced steps to advance the national Cleaner Trucks Initiative, a program that aims to establish more stringent emissions standards to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other pollutants from heavy-duty truck engines.
Phoenix has been at the forefront of cleaner air initiatives, demonstrated by Public Works' commitment to replacing its fleet of diesel-engine solid waste trucks with CNG-fueled ones. As the recipient of the
recent $1 million grant from the EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), Phoenix will soon be able to purchase nine solid waste trucks that use the ultra-low emission NOx compressed natural gas (CNG) to replace nine of its diesel-engine ones, and its long-haul trucking contractor, Mr. Bults, Inc., will be able to replace one of its long-haul diesel-engine truck with CNG.
‘Clean air is essential to the well-being of Phoenix’s residents and visitors and paramount to our continued success. As the fifth largest and fastest growing city in the nation, we must set a strong example in reducing emissions. Currently, the number one producer of emissions in the Valley is vehicles,’ said Phoenix Mayor Gallego. ‘We are proud to partner with the EPA in our effort to reduce our city’s fleet emissions and educate other communities on the importance of a cleaner future.’
According to the EPA, the CTI rulemaking follows petition from more than 20 organizations, including state and local sir agencies, to revise and promote stricter NOx standards.
‘Through this initiative, we will modernize heavy-duty truck engines, improving their efficiency and reducing their emissions, which will lead to a healthier environment,” said EPA Administrator Stoker. “The U.S. has already made major reductions in NOx emissions, but through this initiative we will continue to reduce emissions while spurring innovative new technologies, ensuring heavy-duty trucks are clean and remain a competitive method of transportation.’
Phoenix Public Works currently has 153 solid waste trucks using CNG fuel; 59 of those use the low NOx CNG. With the additional nine CNG solid waste trucks and one CNG long-haul truck, an estimated 1.8 tons of NOx emissions will be reduced and will conserve more than 75,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
Also present at the Jan. 30 news conference were: Councilman Carlos Garcia, representing Phoenix Council District 8; Daniel Czecholinski, director of the Air Quality Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality; Philip McNeely, Maricopa County Air Quality Department director; and Dave Edwards, senior vice president of equipment and government relations for Knight Transportation.
