Connecticut communities, especially those in urban areas, suffer from sooty exhaust emitted by trucks, buses and other diesel engines that can make breathing difficult - particularly for children, the elderly and other sensitive groups.

Reducing diesel emissions is a DEP priority and we continue to move forward with a multi-faceted reduction strategy that includes mobile and stationary source applications because:

• Diesel exhaust is a significant contributor to air pollution and has been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 
• Diesel engines emit high levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), and in addition, a complex mixture of gases many of which are known or suspected cancer causing agents. Diesel exhaust exacerbates asthma and causes inflammation of the airways. 
• Emissions from diesel powered electricity generators used to meet peak energy demand usually occur on high ozone days. 
• Diesel exhaust is an important contributor to airborne concentrations of fine particle pollution, especially in urban areas. 

Federal Stimulus Money for Diesel Reduction Projects        2008 EPA/DERA Diesel Emission Reduction Projects Cooperative Agreement Under 2008 NCDC-DERA Funding Between DEP and EPA, As Amended May 24, 2010 (PDF) Grant Agreement under 2008 State DERA Program between DEP and EPA , As Amended July 21, 2011  (PDF)   Public Act 07-4 Sections 16-19:  Connecticut School Bus Emission Reduction Program
Diesel Mitigation Plan	Clean Fuels
Laws and Regulations	Grants & Funding
Diesel Health Risks	Related References and Links
Retrofit Technologies	Air Quality Curriculum
June 2007 letter from Commissioner McCarthy on CT's efforts to reduce diesel emissions (PDF)

	Anti-Idling Efforts -Anti-idling programs provide a cost effective mechanism to improve air quality and reduce risk exposure from the potential health impacts of vehicle exhaust.
	Diesel Retrofits - Diesel retrofit technologies reduce air pollution from existing diesel equipment.  Retrofit efforts have focused on school buses, transit buses, construction equipment and trucks.
	Truck-stop Electrification - Truck drivers typically idle their diesel engines to provide air-conditioning or heat  to keep the engine and fuel warm in cold weather.  Stationary idle-reduction projects involve switching idling heavy duty diesel trucks to electricity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution.

Content Last Updated on August 15, 2011