SEMO Regional Planning Commission Awarded Grants For Emissions Reduction Projects
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded two grants totaling more than half a million dollars to the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission (SEMORPC) in Perryville, Mo., for two diesel emission reduction projects. These two Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) projects will bolster SEMORPC efforts to reduce emissions in St. Louis, Cape Girardeau and St. Genevieve County—all in Missouri.
The commission was awarded a $365,545 grant to replace four old diesel engines in two Mississippi fleeting boats owned by Osage Marine to reduce diesel emissions and exposure in St. Louis and Cape Girardeau. Osage Marine said that the repower on its two towboats should be completed by July 2020.
A $195,963 DERA grant was awarded to replace two old non-highway front loaders in the Mississippi Lime Project. Replacing the front loaders will aid SEMORPC in its efforts to reduce diesel emissions and exposure in St. Genevieve County.
Both  projects seek to reduce extensive amounts of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (soot), hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.
EPA provides grants under the DERA to protect human health and improve air quality by reducing emissions from diesel engines. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $40 million in competitive grant funding for the Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. The program solicited proposals nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced and reductions in exposure.
