Massachusetts is getting $492,200 in federal funds for clean diesel projects.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is giving out a total of $14.8 million for state clean diesel programs. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will use the grant to retrofit publicly owned waste collection vehicles with diesel oxidation catalysts and to help replace conventional diesel trucks used by municipalities and utilities with hybrids.
Earlier this year, Gov. Deval Patrick announced an initiative to retrofit all school buses in the state with cleaner technology.
Diesel engines contribute to air pollution and health risks like asthma. The state lifetime asthma risk for children is estimated at 14.6 percent, according to the EPA.
