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For Immediate Release

MTC Allocation Turns Diesel Buses into Vehicle for Air Quality

Commission Action Coincides With Year's First Spare-the-Air Day

CONTACT:

Randy Rentschler
510.817.5780

John Goodwin
510.817.5862

OAKLAND, Calif., June 25, 2003...Today, the first Spare-the-Air Day of 2003, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) allocated over $13.8 million in federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program funds to 12 Bay Area transit agencies to help finance the purchase of nearly 1,700 emission-control retrofit devices that will be installed on diesel buses around the region. MTC allocated nearly $1.8 million in local matching funds to supplement the federal commitment, which will be spread over the 2003-04 and 2004-05 fiscal years. Once installed, the retrofit systems are expected to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the Bay Area by over 2,500 pounds per day and particulate matter by 300 pounds per day. Oxides of nitrogen are a prime contributor to ground-level ozone or "smog" and particulate matter is classified as a toxic air contaminant.

"This allocation shows not only MTC’s dedication to meeting its clean air commitments but the effectiveness of federal legislation that allows metropolitan planning organizations to decide how CMAQ funds are invested in their areas," said MTC Chair and Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey. "Since our focus is on smog reduction, we’re using CMAQ money to help transit agencies bridge the cost gap so they get the best emissions controls available instead of less effective systems."

The new Cleaire Longview emission-control system — which will replace mufflers on diesel buses from model year 1994 and later — is manufactured by Cleaire Advanced Emission Controls of San Leandro, and is distributed through the Cummins distribution system via Fleetguard Emission Solutions. It is the first diesel retrofit product to be verified by the California Air Resources Board as effective in reducing both particulate matter—the black soot in diesel exhaust—and oxides of nitrogen. The Air Resources Board verified in April that the Cleaire Longview reduces particulate matter by 85 percent and oxides of nitrogen by 25 percent. Though diesel bus engines typically produce relatively small amounts of hydrocarbons — some of which can combine with oxides of nitrogen to form smog — the Cleaire Longview reduces these emissions as well.

Cleaire began producing the Longview in 2001, and the emissions control system has since been installed on dozens of diesel vehicles throughout California, including some AC Transit, Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) and SamTrans buses. The new MTC allocation will allow AC Transit to buy 727 more Cleaire Longview devices, SamTrans to acquire an additional 209 units and County Connection to buy another 89. The MTC distribution will allow San Francisco Muni to buy 375 devices. Other agencies planning to install Cleaire Longview catalysts on their diesel buses’ exhaust systems include the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District; Fairfield-Suisun Transit; the Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority (WHEELS); Santa Rosa CityBus; Vallejo Transit; and Tri Delta Transit and WestCAT in Contra Costa County.

"The Longview comes at just the right time for cash-strapped transit operators who need to meet the Air Resources Board’s urban bus rule," explained MTC Commissioner and Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, who also chairs the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. "The retrofit program gives them a cost-effective way to lower emissions from their existing bus fleets at the same time that clean diesel is coming into its own with new engine technology and new fuel specifications."

MTC approved the funding allocation as part of its continuing effort to maintain and enhance the Bay Area’s excellent air quality. Private citizens play an important role as well, particularly on days like today when high temperatures, high atmospheric pressure and low winds create conditions that contribute to the production of ground-level ozone. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued a Spare-the-Air advisory for both today and tomorrow. There are several ways the public can help limit smog formation:

  • Plan a clean air commute tomorrow by taking public transit or carpooling. Call 511 or visit <www.511.org> for transit and carpooling information.
  • If you must drive to work, take a lunch with you so you don’t need to make another car trip.
  • Link trips for errands to reduce cold engine starts.
  • Fill your gas tank after 6 p.m. when gasoline vapors will not contribute to smog formation.
  • Postpone household painting projects and garden tasks that use gasoline-powered equipment such as lawnmowers or leaf blowers.
  • Avoid using aerosol personal care and cleaning products.
  • If you barbecue tonight or tomorrow, start the coals in a chimney starter or with an electric starter rather than using lighter fluid.
  • Conserve electricity by setting air conditioners to a higher temperature.

MTC is the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area’s transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency. More information on air quality and the Spare-the-Air campaign is available online from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District at <www.sparetheair.org>.

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Note to editors: Video "b-roll" produced for Cleaire is available on request in either BetaCam SP or VHS format.

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