US Environmental Protection Agency said that the Port of Los Angeles has been selected for USD 2 million in funding to replace, re power and or retrofit a total of 27 pieces of equipment including harbor craft currently in operation there.

According to the EPA, emissions reductions achieved from this project will improve air quality and health in the surrounding areas.

The USD 2 million has been awarded under American Reinvestment & Recovery Act of 2009, National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program competition, where EPA Region 9 alone received over 100 grant applications requesting USD 500 million to help fund clean diesel emissions projects. The awards announced this week were chosen to maximize both economic impact and emissions reductions.

The EPA believes that these projects will significantly reduce particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide emissions as well as greenhouse gases.

The EPA added that in addition to helping create and retain jobs, the clean diesel projects would help to reduce premature deaths, asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, lost work days, and many other health impacts every year.

(Sourced from www.portworld.com)