News

EPA Invites AGC of America to Speak on Diesel Retrofit at Southeast Regional Program

Recognizing that AGC of America is a strong supporter of voluntary diesel retrofit efforts and initiatives at both the national and local levels, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has invited AGC to participate in the Southeast Diesel Collaborative's partners meeting, scheduled for June 15-17 in Atlanta.Ìý The goal of the meeting is to identify new opportunities to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines (like those used in construction equipment) with a specific focus on innovative technologies, clean diesel and renewable energy sources.Ìý AGC's Senior Environmental Advisor Leah Pilconis will present AGC's perspective on how to balance contractor business and economic concerns with air quality goals.Ìý Register online at no charge at and be part of a large gathering of federal, state and local officials; environmental advocacy groups; fleet owners; and other diesel stakeholders.Ìý Construction equipment is being targeted as a major contributor of air pollution.Ìý In recent years, AGC has been deeply involved in several "clean diesel" initiatives intended to reduce off-road diesel emissions and simultaneously protect the construction industry from serious disruption. ÌýMs. Pilconis will highlight AGC's efforts to identify appropriate incentives for the retrofit of diesel equipment, to inform fleet owners that they may qualify for government grants to retrofit their equipment, to secure federal funding for diesel retrofit and to enact a federal tax incentive for diesel retrofit.Ìý Ms. Pilconis will also explain the significant and legitimate concerns regarding any government actions that would devalue a company's fleet or restrict competition in the marketplace.Ìý ClickÌýhereÌýto see the draft agenda.Ìý "Clean Diesel Collaboratives" have formed throughout the nation to carry out the mission of EPA's on a regional basis.Ìý The Southeast Diesel Collaborative (SEDC), for example,Ìý is a voluntary, public-private partnership linking leaders from federal, state and local government, the private sector and other stakeholders in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.Ìý In all cases, collaboratives are making decisions about how best to reduce emissions from engines in construction equipment. ÌýÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ Chapter and member participation in EPA regional collaboratives is needed. ÌýPlease contact the EPA representative (see below) in your area to find out more and to join the collaborative in your region.Ìý For more information, contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org or . Ìý EPA Clean Diesel Collaborative Contacts Ìý Northeast Diesel Collaborative (US EPA Regions 1 & 2 - CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PR, RI, VI, VT) Ìý Mid-Atlantic Diesel Collaborative (US EPA Region 3 - DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV) Ìý Southeast Diesel Collaborative (US EPA Region 4 - AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN) Ìý Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative (US EPA Region 5 - IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) Ìý Blue Skyways Collaborative (US EPA Regions 6 & 7 plus Minnesota - AR, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, NM, OK, TX) Ìý Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative (US EPA Region 8 - CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY) Ìý West Coast Collaborative (US EPA Regions 9 & 10 - AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA, Canada and Mexico)