RAQC Receives $2.7M from EPA for Diesel

Denver, Colo. – The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC), the lead air quality planning agency for the Denver metropolitan area and a leader in advancing clean diesel technologies, received a $2.7 million Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pursue additional clean diesel outcomes.

Together with owners and operators of long haul fleets, the oil and gas industry, school districts, public works fleets, refuse haulers and other private fleets, RAQC will work to reduce harmful diesel emissions, greenhouse gases and fuel consumption in the ozone nonattainment area and along the Colorado Front Range. Efforts surrounding long haul and local trucking sectors will be focused on environmental justice areas around northeast Denver and Commerce City when possible.

“Cleaning up diesel vehicles continues to be a priority at both the State and Federal levels. The RAQC expects to maintain a strong diesel retrofit program using innovative technologies and reaching out to more fleets,” said Ken Lloyd, executive director of the RAQC.

The grant will fund projects in a number of targeted sectors, including an effort which will transform over-the-road trucks to improve efficiency and lower pollution through the installation of auxiliary power units (APUs) or fuel operated bunk heaters (FOH) that reduce the amount of time vehicles need to spend idling. Smartway trailer skirts or fairings and the option to install low rolling resistance tires will also be employed.

“The Regional Air Quality Council continues to find innovative ways to leverage clean diesel opportunities across a wide range of sources,” said Carol Rushin, EPA’s deputy regional administrator in Denver. “These funds will have an immediate impact on air quality in Front Range communities and beyond.”

On-Road retrofits will also be completed on vehicles from the oil and gas sector, private fleets, school districts and public works vehicles. Equipment that will be installed includes: new, cleaner vehicles for the oil & gas sector; diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) and closed crankcase filters (CCFs) that reduce tailpipe emissions; FOH for anti-idling; and hydraulic preheat and/or in cab heaters which also reduce the need to idle a vehicle to run power to the inside of the truck for heating, cooling, or electronics. 

This project will coordinate a large collaboration of public and private entities to create a comprehensive and regional approach to reducing emissions and fuel usage. The RAQC will accomplish project objectives by working with partners and area trucking fleets to advance the goals of the Smartway Trucking Program; Encana Oil & Gas, Inc. to provide new, cleaner vehicles for operation in Colorado, and eight school districts to retrofit a number of school buses. In addition, RAQC will educate partners on simple voluntary measures and encourage fleets to adopt policies that reduce unnecessary diesel emissions. Partner fleets will be responsible for educating operators on retrofit equipment and idling reduction efforts.

The RAQC will also work with the Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative (RMCDC). The RMCDC assists with fleet identification and outreach activities regarding program operations.  The main goals in the RAQC’s diesel efforts are always to provide cost and fuel savings for fleets and to deliver cleaner air to the citizens of the Denver-metropolitan region.

RAQC Partners with City of Littleton on Hybrid Bus Project

Littleton, Colo., August 10,2010 – Mayor Doug Clark will accept the keys and a $40,000 check from representatives of the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) at a celebration to put into service two hybrid electric senior transportation buses on Tuesday, August 10 at 11 a.m. at the City of Littleton Service Center, 1800 West Belleview Avenue.  Longtime Omnibus and Shopping Cart riders and drivers will be on hand, along with representatives of Azure Dynamics, manufacturers of the hybrid technology. View Full Press Release.

 

Denver Adds Four Hybrid Trucks to Fleet

News Release

Release date: 06/17/2010

The Denver Fleet Management Division recently replaced older units in its fleet with four Freightliner Business Class M2 106 Hybrid trucks as part of the City and County of Denver’s efforts to decrease energy demands and improve air quality.

One approach to reducing harmful emissions and improving the environment has been the “greening” of Denver’s fleet. The Denver Fleet Management Division, which maintains more than 1,900 vehicles and pieces of equipment for the city, began building its hybrid fleet with the purchase of light-duty hybrids. The four new Freightliner Business Class M2 106 Hybrid aerial bucket trucks will be used for forestry, traffic signal, and traffic sign repair.

“The Freightliner trucks mark our entry into medium-duty hybrid use, and are a welcome addition to our fleet,” said Ernie Ivy, fleet director, City and County of Denver. “With the new trucks, we will improve the way we deliver services to the citizens.”

The Freightliner Business Class M2 106 Hybrid features the Eaton Hybrid Electric parallel Drivetrain System that enables the truck to operate using the diesel engine alone, or in combination with the hybrid electric motor. This provides additional power to launch the vehicle and improve fuel economy in stop-and-go operations, in addition to reducing emissions and operating noise, particularly when the hybrid system powers the auxiliary equipment in ePTO mode, according to the manufacturer.

“We operate in neighborhoods all around Denver, so our goal is to reduce pollution and noise in the places where we live and work,” said Ivy. “The trucks also further our efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum use.” Denver is receiving grants for the hybrid purchases and should recoup its outlay for the hybrid technology in five to seven years through increased fuel economy and lowered maintenance expenses.

Adams 14 Advances Student and Environment Health

News Release

Adams 14 Retrofits Buses to Improve Student and Environmental Health

Release Date: 05/04/2010

Adams 14 has retrofitted 13 District buses with new crankcase filtration systems and engine pre-heaters to reduce idle times, emissions and fuel costs. The results will be healthier students and drivers as well as a cleaner environment while buses take students to and from school.

Thomas Tucker, the district’s lead mechanic, oversaw the improvements, which were made this month through a partnership with the Denver-Based Regional Air Quality Council’s Clean Air Fleets Program, a public-private initiative that helps diesel operators reduce vehicle emissions while saving money. The program receives funding support from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Highway Administration.

“Our newly outfitted buses will have a less detrimental impact on riders and the environment,” Tucker said. As a result of the retrofits, the District should save approximately 1,100 gallons of fuel annually and reduce 12 tons per year of greenhouse gases from the environment including one ton per year of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide.

Steve McCannon, program manager for the Regional Air Quality Council believes public schools are an important partner. “District leadership and participation has been critical to the success of the program,” he said. “We have been amazed at school districts’ dedication to protecting the health of children.”

Adams 14 is pursuing opportunities to retrofit additional District buses in the future.

Advanced Fleet Technology Forum a Success

On November 14, 2012, public and private fleets came together at Sports Authority Stadium at Mile High to dig into dynamic fleet technologies and discover new equipment, upcoming programs and important funding opportunities available to fleets.

Click here to find presentations and a video slidehow.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Advanced Fleet Technology Forum a success!

Pleural Mesothelioma Center

Information on pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue surrounding the lungs. The disease is caused primarily by the inhalation of microscopic asbestos fibers.