Diesel emission program to get $300 million

Feb. 23, 2009
The federal Diesel Emission Retrofit Program is expected to receive an infusion of $300 million from the economic stimulus package, according to information from the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA)

The federal Diesel Emission Retrofit Program is expected to receive an infusion of $300 million from the economic stimulus package, according to information from the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA).

PMAA noted in its Weekly Review February 20 that supporters of the package will argue that the funding will help to reduce greenhouse emissions and create thousands of jobs. The funding is used to retrofit trucks with emissions controls such as diesel particulate filters or selective catalytic reductions to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

Before the House and Senate conference report, the Senate had allocated $550 million for the program, but due to tremendous pressure to cut costs, conferees agreed to reduce the program’s funding. The Diesel Emission Retrofit Program was enacted as part of the 2005 Energy bill with the goal of one billion dollars over five years for retrofits. However, between 2006 and 2008 only $600 million was authorized but only $50 million was appropriated in 2006, PMAA pointed out.