Caterpillar Inc is supporting legislation introduced in the United States Senate that will improve availability of clean-diesel emissions technology for older vehicles.
The lead sponsor for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 is Sen George Voinovich (R-OH). Other sponsors of the bipartisan bill include Sen Thomas Carper (D-DE), Sen Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Sen Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Sen Johnny Isakson (R-GA).
The legislation proposes $1 billion in funding over five years in the form of grant and loan programs for states and other organizations looking to take part in retrofit opportunities for diesel-powered machines and engines. In addition to bipartisan support in Congress, the diesel industry is working with environmental groups to build support for the proposal.
Caterpillar is a leader in the development of clean diesel technology and has supported pilot retrofit initiatives. This includes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean School Bus USA program, which helps school districts and school bus fleet operators either replace older buses with newer models or install emissions control devices on existing buses.
“As a result of retrofits, Caterpillar customers have already removed more than 8,900 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and more than 1,400 tons of particulate matter (PM) from the air,” said Jim Parker, Caterpillar vice-president responsible for the Power Systems Marketing Division.