Farmers can get stimulus help

The EPA has awarded $750,000 to Utah's Department of Environmental Quality to help Utah farmers install clean-diesel technologies on farm equipment.

"This Recovery Act project offers clear economic and environmental benefits for the people of Utah," said EPA acting regional administrator Carol Rushin. "This effort will help Utah farmers install clean-diesel technologies on farm equipment that will reduce pollution, conserve fuel and help create and maintain jobs."

The funds are provided under the federal stimulus package through the 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. Under this funding competition, the EPA region covering Utah received 37 grant applications requesting more than $56 million to help fund clean-diesel emissions projects.

The project will replace 12 agricultural vehicles, repower 26 engines in agricultural vehicles and equipment, and install 25 auxiliary power units on agricultural vehicles in Utah.

The stimulus funding will pay for the full cost of the auxiliary power units, 75 percent of the cost of an engine repower and 25 percent of the cost of a vehicle/equipment replacement. Participating agricultural operators will be responsible for contributing 25 percent of the cost of an engine repower and 75 percent of the cost of a replacement vehicle. The primary goal of the project is to reduce exposure to toxic emissions from diesel exhaust and to conserve diesel fuel through the use of the auxiliary power units.

Utah will also benefit from a grant of $850,000 awarded to Oregon-based Cascade Sierra Solutions. Cascade Sierra Solutions will use the funds to provide emissions control solutions for the over-the road diesel trucks based in Utah, Montana, Colorado and South Dakota.

E-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com