$8.2 million awarded to air quality districs

The California Air Resources Board has awarded $8.2 million to help local air districts reduce the impact of diesel engine emissions.

The money will be divvied between several air districts, including ones in Colusa, Glenn and Tehama counties, according to board spokesperson Karen Caesar.

Two Arcata-based trucking companies with regular business in the Mid-Valley will receive the grant under the Carl Moyer program. Bettendorf Trucking will receive $496,640 and Joe Costa Trucking will get $186,238.

When asked if the money would actually help any Mid-Valley residents, Colusa Supervisor Kim-Dolbow Vann took the optimistic view. “If the money helps even one person (in our area), then it helps everyone,” Vann said.

Vann said the money might be able to prevent the companies from passing certain costs on to customers. “With these troubled economic times, every little bit helps,” she said.

“The funding helps air districts improve air quality and meet federal deadlines…and of course, the public benefits by having cleaner air to breathe,” ARB Chairman Mary Nichols said in a prepared statement.

Since 1998, the Carl Moyer Program has provided $170 million to clean up about 7,500 engines statewide,  according to the ARB.

Contact Rob Parsons at 934-6800 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.