State Clean Diesel Grant — Application Available

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) is pleased to release the annual State Clean Diesel Grant Program application. Cities, counties and other government agencies that conduct work for the benefit of the public and require diesel-powered vehicles are encouraged to apply for State Clean Diesel Grant awards.

The NDDEQ will issue approximately $315,000 in awards funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the purchase of new or newer diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. The purpose of the funding is to reduce diesel emissions in accordance with the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of the Energy Policy Act of 2010. To date, 81 older vehicles in North Dakota have been replaced using this funding, with a reduction in air emissions of about 250 tons over the lifetime of those vehicles.

The application and program guidelines are available HERE. Applications can be mailed to the Division of Air Quality, 918 E Divide Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501-1947 or emailed to airquality@nd.gov. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. CT on March 20, 2020.

For more information, please contact either Keith Hinnenkamp (khinnenk@nd.gov) via email or phone (701-328-5188).

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NDDEQ seeking applications for Volkswagen settlement funding

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) is now accepting applications for project funding from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. Eligible projects will be those outlined in North Dakota’s mitigation plan that reduce emissions of the pollutant nitrogen oxide (NO_x).

During the first year of the project, the NDDEQ may issue up to $2.7 million in funding from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. Funding will be available to government and non-government entities for projects that mitigate the negative air quality impacts caused by Volkswagen’s use of emissions testing defeat devices in their vehicles sold and operated in the United States. North Dakota’s share of the trust is approximately $8.1 million.

More information, program guidelines and all the necessary application materials are available at https://deq.nd.gov/AQ/planning/VW.aspx#VWAPP1. Applications can be mailed to the Division of Air Quality, 918 E Divide Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501-1947 or emailed to airquality@nd.gov. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. CST on Oct. 25, 2019.

For more information, please contact either Keith Hinnenkamp (khinnenk@nd.gov) or Angela Seligman (aseligman@nd.gov) via email or phone (701-328-5188).

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North Dakota Department of Health Warns Residents About Wildfire Smoke

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) advises residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities while smoky conditions remain across the state. Wildfires in northern Canada are sending smoke across North Dakota, and local agricultural burning may be adding to smoke in some areas.

Extremely small particles of ash and soot, or particulate matter, have been increasing over the last few hours across eastern North Dakota. Particulate matter can irritate the respiratory system, especially for those who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or conditions such as asthma and allergies. The NDDEQ advises people with respiratory conditions, the elderly and young children to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.

High particulate numbers, coupled with higher temperatures over the next few days, could heighten the complications. People reacting to smoke to the extent that it is affecting breathing should seek immediate help from a medical provider.

The NDDEQ’s Division of Air Quality is closely monitoring its air sampling network across the state. At this time most of the smoke impact seems to be concentrated in the eastern part of the state. If conditions in western North Dakota become unfavorable, the department will follow up with additional information.

For up-to-date information on the region’s current air quality and tips on respiratory protection during a smoke event, visit https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires.

For more information, contact Ryan Mills, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, at 701-328-5188.

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Clean Diesel Grants Awarded

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, through the US Environmental Protection Agency, will issue $269,589 in awards to the following schools for the replacement of old diesel-powered school buses with new cleaner diesel-powered school buses. The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of the Energy Policy Act of 2010 allocates funds to states to implement projects that reduce diesel emissions. These replacements are being conducted utilizing North Dakota’s FY2018 DERA funding.

• Nedrose Public School $21,486
• Kindred Public Schools $24,250
• Minto Public School $23,625
• Park River Area Public School $20,311
• Sargent Central Public Schools $19,937
• Lidgerwood Public School $19,687
• Northwood Public School $21,775
• Washburn Public School $20,081
• Ashley Public School $20,000
• Griggs County Central Public School $36,337
• Page Public School $21,050
• Hope Public School $21,050