January 05, 2010 | NEWS ARTICLES
Plan in Congress Could Cay off Locally
By Jeffery Smith | Corning Leader | Link to article
Erwin, N.Y. - A push to provide federal incentives for emissions-reducing equipment for diesel-powered vehicles may benefit Corning Inc.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday during a stop at Corning Inc.’s Erwin diesel plant that he and other senators are pushing for more funding for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.
The federal program, launched in 2005, provides funding for non-profits such as school districts to purchase filters that reduce emissions from diesel-powered vehicles, such as school buses.
Corning Inc. is one of only a handful of companies that manufacture the filters.
“But (the program) has been drastically under-funded,” Schumer said.
“We have a huge opportunity here to spur economic development and help improve the air quality everywhere.”
Tom Hinman, Corning Inc.’s senior vice president of environmental technology, said Schumer’s efforts, if successful, would be a great boost to the company.
“It would increase demand,” Hinman said. “More business would ultimately create new jobs, but we’ll have to see how Congress acts on this. Clearly it will take some time, but ultimately we’re hopeful it happens.”
Along with boosting the companies that manufacture the products, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act has been successful from a public health perspective in reducing diesel emissions, which contribute to respiratory problems and global warming, Schumer said.
But despite the program’s success, funding has been limited. Approximately $1 billion was authorized for the program from 2005-2010, but only $470 million has been used, according to Schumer.
Another $1 billion worth of applications to the Environmental Protection Agency, which administers the program, are awaiting funding. Schumer said he will push for the funding to be included in an upcoming federal aid package aimed at stimulating jobs.
“When Congress next meets I will push to fund the clean diesel program,” Schumer said. “I will urge the EPA to target funding to products that can be added after a vehicle is already built.”
He was referring to products such as Corning Inc.’s diesel particulate filters, which were developed by Corning Inc. 20 years ago, Hinman said.
“Funding the DERA program is a smart investment in our nation’s energy future that will spur economic development and job growth,” Schumer said. “At a time when our country is looking for ways to quickly create jobs and clean the environment, DERA stands out as a prime example of a program that works.”
