DEQ launches clean fleet program

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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will launch a program next week to recognize companies that are doing their part to reduce the amount of diesel pollution in the state's air.

The Fleet Forward Recognition Program features a three-tier recognition scheme that is based on companies reducing their diesel emissions. The program recognizes fleets that reduce emissions by burning less fuel, burning cleaner fuel or burning fuel more cleanly through advanced exhaust control devices.

"Cleaning up diesel is one of the state's best investments in public health and the environment," said Kathleen Cochrun, who runs the program for DEQ. "For every dollar spent on clean diesel, the avoided public health and environmental costs are estimated between $8 and $13."

Because diesel engines last so long and are expensive to retrofit, cleaning up diesel-powered fleets is a costly endeavor for companies to undertake. Heavy duty diesel vehicles with a model year of 2007 or newer come standard with advanced exhaust controls, cutting pollution by up to 90 percent. These devices can be retrofit to existing vehicles, but they are costly and provide little direct benefit to business.

The Fleet Forward program is designed to recognize the efforts of companies that are doing their part — and to create what Cochrun calls a "culture for clean diesel."

The program will encourage businesses to use contracting language to require clean fleets and to provide a set of criteria to define exactly what a clean fleet is.

DEQ is referring fleet owners to Cascade Sierra Solutions, which received $22 million in stimulus funds last year to add electric plug-ins at truck stops that will reduce the need for truckers to idle their trucks. Cascade Sierra also offers financing assistance for fleet retrofits.

The Fleet Forward program launches formally with an event at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland on Aug. 24.