Governor Advances Program to Reduce Diesel Pollution

Clean Diesel event uses anti-idling technology to save fuel

(Aurora) - Governor Ted Kulongoski`s says one of his highest priorities, clean air, received a boost in Aurora Thursday, as the Energy and Engine Technology Corporation introduced its `auxiliary power unit" (APU), which enables diesel-powered semi-trucks to power their onboard systems without idling, reaping huge savings for trucking operators and substantially reducing air pollution.

`It`s a great day for everyone who cares about the environment and the creation of new jobs," Governor Kulongoski told a crowd of industry representatives, government officials, and truckers at the ceremony. `It`s an equally great day for those who strive to make industry cleaner, more efficient and more profitable. The future looks bright for making air cleaner in Oregon. And the future looks bright for the companies and industries that bring clean-air technology to our state."

In accordance with the Governor`s policy of targeting investments to reduce diesel pollution while promoting clean economic growth and the creation of new family-wage jobs, the Oregon Department of Energy provided a `state energy loan" of $860,000 to the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority to pay for installation of APUs in more than 100 trucks. The Authority also took advantage of a tax credit of $360,000 to offset project costs. The Oregon Department of Energy will provide an additional state energy loan of $2.5 million to install another 250 APUs.

`We are thrilled that Governor Kulongoski has taken such a strong stance on clean air and the reduction of emissions on the I-5 corridor," said Will McAndrew, the CEO of the Energy and Engine Technology Corporation. `He is exemplifying Oregon`s reputation as a leader on green issues, and we are happy to play a part by marketing a product that has the ability to markedly reduce emissions from the thousands of long-haul trucks traveling the corridor on a regular basis."