Construction companies and local governments will be able to get grants to make their old diesel equipment cleaner under a program announced this week.

State and federal environmental officials will make almost $1 million available to retrofit engines and exhaust systems on construction equipment, from bulldozers and backhoes to cranes and generators.

There are approximately 98,000 pieces of non-road diesel equipment in New Jersey, and almost every one produces significantly more pollution than the average automobile. For instance, one large bulldozer will emit the same amount of pollution as 26 cars.

New federal standards will lower that amount, but it applies only to engines built from 2007 and beyond. But construction equipment is not replaced very frequently, according to a state Department of Environmental Protection report.

The report wasn't able to determine how many vehicles could be retrofitted under the grant because some could cost as little as $10,000 or as much as $30,000.

The $1 million slated for New Jersey is part of a $14.8 million nationwide grant program by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Those wishing to seek grants can go to northeastdiesel.org. 



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