July 24, 2012
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, February 05, 2009
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction National Program has selected UPS for an award of $473,939 to reduce particulate matter generated by diesel engines at the company's WorldportSM global all-points air hub.
The EPA funding will be disbursed to the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, which in turn will distribute the monies to the UPS Airlines.The grant will fund two projects to reduce particulate matter: the replacement of diesel engines in ground support cargo tugs and the extension of ground electricity to parked aircraft.
In the first project, UPS will replace diesel engines in 92 tugs with much cleaner gasoline engines. Since the particulate matter emissions are nearly zero for the new engines, replacing the diesel engines will have the net effect of removing 5.3 tons of particulate matter per year from the air.
In the second project, UPS will install electric units to power aircraft parked at Worldport, allowing them to avoid the use of 26 diesel generators. Although commercial electrical power does require burning fuel at a power plant, removing the diesel generators from the airport will eliminate 2.2 tons of particulate matter per year in Louisville.
These two projects are the latest contributions toward UPS's comprehensive sustainability strategy. The company's Louisville-based airline division has undertaken extensive efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption, minimize noise and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing flight routes and speeds, managing aircraft dispatch and taxi times, shutting down unneeded engines for taxiing and experimenting with alternative fuels in ground support vehicles.
As Louisville seeks to improve its air quality, community leaders appreciate UPS's corporate citizenship. "We have come a long way in improving our air quality in Louisville but we still need to improve," said Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson. "This move by UPS helps our city move toward cleaner air."
"Reducing emissions from vehicles and diesel equipment is one of the most important air quality challenges facing us today," added Jeff Lykins, Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition president and Lykins Oil president.
UPS's first foray into alternative fuel vehicles was with a fleet of electric vehicles that operated in New York in the 1930's. For decades, UPS has played a leadership role in the demonstration of innovative alternative vehicle technologies and fuels. Today UPS operates the largest alternative fuel powered fleet of ground vehicles in the United States. The company works directly with leading engine manufacturers to identify applications and develop efficient on and off-road vehicles and equipment.
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