Northwest Indiana nonprofit receives EPA grant for Lake Michigan clean air project
August 26, 2010
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. - Residents of the Chicagoland area and Great Lakes region may be breathing easier as early as this fall thanks to a federal grant that will partially fund work by a Northwest Indiana nonprofit to improve air quality over Lake Michigan.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative has awarded a grant of more than $630,000 to South Shore Clean Cities Inc. The nonprofit organization will manage a $1.2 million project in which older, diesel-powered marine vessels will be retrofitted with newer, more efficient and environmentally friendly technology. The remaining cost will be funded by a match from a private organization.
Carl Lisek, co-owner and vice president of Legacy Environmental Services based at the Purdue Research Park of Northwest Indiana in AmeriPlex at the Crossroads, is coordinator of South Shore Clean Cities.
"Lake Michigan's air quality affects the health of millions of Americans," he said. "My colleagues at South Shore Clean Cities and I are undertaking this project to help residents literally breathe easier and avoid aggravation of chronic health conditions. The EPA grant also will strengthen the state of Indiana's reputation in developing environmentally friendly, sustainable power."
According to an EPA news release, diesel engines annually emit 333,000 tons of soot and 7.3 million tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides. Officials at South Shore Clean Cities estimate that retrofitting two marine vessels on Lake Michigan with more environmentally friendly technology would lower annual emissions by 26 tons of carbon dioxide, 11.9 tons of nitrogen oxide and 1,200 pounds of particulate matter.
About South Shore Clean Cities
Designated as the 71st Clean Cities Coalition on June 15, 1999, South Shore Clean Cities Inc. (http://www.southshorecleancities.org/) was founded on the principle that motivated individuals working together for common goals best accomplish our nation's objectives. In almost 90 coalitions, government agencies and private companies voluntarily form partnerships that meet the objectives of improving air quality, developing regional economic opportunities and reducing the use of imported oil.
About the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative
The Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative (http://www.epa.gov/midwestcleandiesel/) is a collaboration of federal, state and local agencies, along with communities, non-profit organizations and private companies, working together to reduce emissions from diesel engines in the Midwest.
About Purdue Research Park
The Purdue Research Park (http://www.purdueresearchpark.com) has the largest university-affiliated business incubation complex in the country in four locations across Indiana. The parks are home to about 200 companies that employ 4,000 people and are located in West Lafayette, Merrillville, Indianapolis and New Albany.
Purdue Research Park contact:
Steve Martin, 765-588-3342, sgmartin@prf.org
Source:
Carl Lisek, 219-365-4289, legacyenv@comcast.net
