The Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) is in the process of administering a federal grant to local organizations as part of an effort to improve air quality while doing away with diesel emissions. 

MCAQD will distribute funds from an Environmental Protection Agency Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) State Clean Diesel Program grant. 

Maricopa County's air quality director Phil McNeely said the project brings federal, state and local government resources together to improve air quality.

“This is an excellent example of a collaboration between federal, state and local government that will help clean our air,” McNeely said in a statement. 

The grant funding is available to organizations with vehicle fleets so they can retrofit, repower or replace their diesel fleet vehicles or equipment.  According to the county, the EPA program is designed to repower or retrofit medium to heavy duty fleet vehicles with engine models from 1995 to 2009. The grant funding also allows those who qualify to receive partial funds  which can be used to purchase newer, lower emission fleet vehicles or school buses. The idea is to replace the older models which are high polluting. 

The grant funding will be awarded in October and the deadline to complete the projects is Sept. 30, 2019. For more information or to apply for the grant visit https://www.maricopa.gov/4509/Clean-Diesel-Program. 

“Promoting clean diesel technologies not only protects the health of our residents but will also significantly reduce harmful emissions, which results in cleaner air for everyone," McNeely said.