Clean Diesel Projects

Anti-Idling Education and Outreach Effort in Delaware

When trucks and buses leave their engines running unnecessarily, they are not only wasting fuel (millions of gallons annually) but releasing harmful particles and greenhouse gasses into the air. Diesel particulate pollution has been linked to asthma, heart disease, cancer, and premature death.  These negative health effects of diesel emissions are well documented. For example, according to United States Environmental Protection Agency data, exhaust from diesel engines accounts for 78% of the total added cancer risk in outdoor air from all hazardous air pollutants combined.

 Mid-Atlantic Green Operator Program 

Nationwide, the typical heavy duty truck that transports cargo to and from ports runs on diesel fuel, is older, and generates more pollution than other trucks, such as long-haul trucks. Since many thousands of trucks can visit a port on a given day, they often spend a lot of time idling in the congestion that exists at the entranceways to port facilities. While a comprehensive fleet characterization and operations analysis of the drayage industry in Greater Philadelphia have yet to be completed, it is fair to say that based on the steadily increasing cargo volumes, port truck traffic impacts air quality throughout southern New Jersey, southeastern Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and only stands to worsen as shipping volumes increase post-recession.

The Mid-Atlantic Green Operator Program seeks to incentivize the turnover of older drayage vehicles by providing funds for retrofit and replacement of port trucks in Philadelphia and Wilmington. This program will provide financial assistance toward the down payment of a newer truck, as well as access to low-cost financing. 

Delaware's First Electrified Truck Parking Area

The Smyrna site includes 24 electrified parking spaces, which will eliminate the need for drivers to idle their diesel engines by allowing truckers to shut down their engines completely and attach to external consoles mounted on pedestals powered by grid-supplied electricity, which can meet all heating and cooling needs and provide access to the internet.