Sen. Carper Responds to Report on Clean Diesel’s Economic Impact

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Clean Air, responded to the Aspen Environmental Group‘s report, Diesel Powers the U.S. Economy: Providing High-Paying Jobs, Exports and Long-Term Productivity Gains in the Nation’s Fundamental Sectors, which was released by the Diesel Technology Forum. The study evaluated the indirect and direct contributions of clean diesel engine and equipment manufacturing and fuel refining to the economy.

“This study confirms what I have been saying for a long time – replacing and retrofitting our nation’s dirty diesel engines saves lives, creates jobs and grows our economy,” said Sen. Carper. “As the study results show, our nation relies heavily on diesel power to transport commuters, harvest our crops, and build our infrastructure. Compared with traditional gasoline engines, diesel engines made today are more fuel efficient, have a longer life span, and with the proper technology, have fewer emissions. Unfortunately, our nation has millions of older, dirty diesel engines that will be in use for decades to come. Emissions from these dirty diesel engines negatively impact our health and accelerate climate change. By providing incentives to replace and retrofit these dirty diesel engines, we can clean our air and – as this study shows – support high quality American jobs. At a time when our country is looking for ways to create jobs, reduce healthcare costs and clean the environment, supporting clean diesel stands out as a prime example of what works. That is why I will continue to support clean diesel programs like the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act and the Clean Construction Act of 2011 which create ‘win-win’ opportunities that encourage the reduction of harmful emissions and create good paying jobs.”

Last year, President Obama signed into law the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2010, legislation championed in the Senate by Sen. Carper and former Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), which provides resources to encourage the retrofitting of old diesel engines to reduce harmful emissions. DERA is considered one of the most cost-effective federal programs, averaging more than $13 in health and economic benefits for every $1 in funding. Since funding started in 2007, DERA to date has funded more than 3,000 projects nation-wide, impacting thousands of vehicles and engines, and thousands of lives.

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