In addition to the health risks associated with dangerous diesel pollution, it is also a large contributor to global warming. The black carbon that spews from diesel vehicles is 2000 times more potent as a greenhouse gas pollutant than the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide. BUT, there is a solution to diesel pollution, diesel particulate filters (DPFs) can be installed on diesel vehicles and reduce the amount of pollution from the vehicle by 90%. By working to reduce diesel pollution we can produce health benefits - for every $1 spent on reducing diesel pollution there is a $12 health benefit. In addition, for every $1Billion spent on reducing diesel pollution 19,000 jobs can be created, good-paying jobs that can be grown here in Michigan! There are only 12 companies in North America that are verified by the EPA to manufacture DPFs and 2 of those companies are located in Michigan. Federal funds exist through the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) to help clean-up dirty diesel vehicles. The Michigan Legislature needs to act now to pass comprehensive legislation that would protect public health, reduce the effects of climate change and create good-paying Michigan jobs. Further, the Granholm Administration needs to take administrative action to take advantage of the available federal funds to clean-up the State's fleet of diesel vehicles. The time to act is now! Michigan lives and jobs are at stake. |
