The grant agreement provides funding to maryland environmental service (MES)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $8,827,923 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants program grant to the Maryland Environmental Service (MES), a U.S. state government entity. The funding will be used to implement port-related projects with the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) to replace 42 non-road diesel-powered equipment units, including terminal tractors, forklifts, tire manipulation trucks, mobile pumps, and an air compressor. The project aims to upgrade this equipment with zero-emission and Tier 4 final engines to help improve air quality from port-related activities in the Baltimore region and contribute to positive economic impacts for the state of Maryland. The expected outcomes include annual reductions of 0.020 tons of PM2.5 and 0.371 tons of NOx, as well as lifetime reductions of 0.103 tons of PM2.5 and 1.772 tons of NOx.

Specifically, the recipient will use the funding to implement port-related projects with the maryland port administration (MPA). This funding for equipment upgrades will help improve air quality from port-related activities in the baltimore region and will also contribute towards a positive economic impact to the state of maryland. Activities:the activities include the replacement of 42 nonroad diesel-powered equipment units including; thirteen (13) terminal tractors, twenty-three (23) forklifts, three (3) tire manipulation trucks; two (2) diesel-powered mobile pumps, and one (1) diesel-powered air compressor. Eight (8) of the terminal tractors will be replaced with zero-emission units, and the remaining five (5) units will have tier 4 final engines. The forklifts will be replaced with zero-emission units. The other equipment will have tier 4 final engines. Replacement of the two (2) mobile pumps and one (1) mobile air compressor was selected because of the cost-effectiveness and for emission reductions. Cargo handling equipment accounts for the largest percentages of total emissions across all pollutants and includes the replacement of thirteen (13) diesel-powered terminal tractors, three (3) tire manipulation trucks, essentially on-highway vehicles used in a primarily non-road manor, and twenty-three (23) forklifts with a mix of zero emission and tier 4 final units. Therefore, the equipment identified in the proposal was the result of a maryland port authority led strategic outreach plan to businesses associated with cargo movement at the POB. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include the replacement of 42 nonroad diesel-powered equipment units, which will help improve air quality from port-related activities in the baltimore region and will also contribute towards a positive economic impact on the state of maryland. The expected outcomes from upgrading the nonroad equipment include an annual reduction of 0.020 tons PM2.5, a lifetime reduction of 0.103 tons PM2.5, an annual reduction of 0.371 tons NOX, and a lifetime reduction of 1.772 tons NOX. The expected outcomes from upgrading the cargo handling equipment include an annual reduction of 0.401 tons PM2.5, a lifetime reduction of 1.696 tons PM2.5, an annual reduction of 9.586 tons NOX, and a lifetime reduction of 69.463 tons NOX. The intended beneficiaries include residents and communities located within the proposed project area of baltimore city, baltimore county, and anne arundel county.