Under this project, the university will retrofit a total of 101 long-haul trucks with battery operated air conditioning units (BACs) to eliminate the need for idling when trucks are stopped for required rest periods or for loading and unloading.
For this project, Mississippi State University has partnered with two private companies, operating fleets of vehicles in Mississippi, who will install BACs on 6.5% of the fleet for KLLM Transport and 8.3% on Dufour Petroleum fleet. Additional retrofits will be offered to independent truck owners in Mississippi.
This clean diesel project is expected to save 144,502 gallons of diesel fuel, while resulting in the annual reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide by 1,608 tons, nitrogen oxides by 28.67 tons and particulate matter by 0.78 tons.
EPA has provided the grant as part of its National Clean Diesel Campaign to reduce pollution from diesel engines through regulatory measures and voluntary initiatives, like Southeast Diesel Collaborative.
Carol Kemker, acting division director of air, pesticides and toxics management division at EPA, Region 4, said: “EPA is proud to recognize the actions of the Mississippi State University for its efforts to improve air quality and protect public health.
“Emissions from diesel engines are a serious public health threat and environmental challenge, and reducing diesel emissions is a priority for EPA.”
