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From: Cascade Sierra Solutions Contact: David Orton 541-302-0900

Date: Friday, February 15, 2008

Cascade Sierra Solutions (CSS) announces a grant opportunity aimed at reducing harmful diesel engine particulate matter (PM) emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks that drive over 40,000 miles annually in California. Trucks that qualify for the program can receive a grant up to the full cost of an installed Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

CSS, in partnership with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD), has been selected to administer $1M from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to upgrade tractor-trailer trucks with DPF equipment. Reducing diesel emissions is a high priority for the State of California. Diesel exhaust has been linked to as much as 70% of the cancer risks associated with air pollution. Diesel PM is more carcinogenic than all other outdoor pollutants combined and has been shown to be a significant contributor for a variety of health ailments including asthma attacks, non-fatal heart attacks, and premature deaths due to poor air quality.

Heavy-duty diesel trucks operating in California are required by impending rules to demonstrate PM emission reductions, below the 2000 baseline, of 75% by 2010 and 85% by 2020. This incentive program is intended to reward voluntary early compliance and is only available for early adopters. The cost of a DPF retrofit typically costs in excess of $10,000. The amount of the grant will be based on the number of annual miles driven in California, the model year of the engine and whether the DPF device filters both particulate matter and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), a precursor to ozone.

A DPF is designed to trap or remove exhaust particles. The DPF must periodically undergo a cleaning cycle to prevent plugging the filter. This is typically done as a scheduled maintenance activity for the truck. DPF equipment can remove 85 percent of the PM from the exhaust.

Applicants will be prioritized by CSS to ensure that the oldest and most polluting trucks are able to benefit from this program. Truck owners driving California routes should contact CSS immediately to sign up. To meet the reporting requirements for the program, recipients must register their trucks in the CSS Fleet Member database and pay a $25 annual fee. Truck owners can register on the CSS website

Cascade Sierra Solutions is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving fuel and reducing emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines. CSS works in partnership with public and private sector organizations to provide education on available fuel economy and emission reduction technologies. CSS truck upgrade programs reduce the financial burden on truck owners to meet regulatory compliance and to save fuel.

For more information on Cascade Sierra Solutions, please visit our website at: