advertisement

---

On March 30, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials toured the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Co. (NOPB) to recognize the short line’s efforts to reduce emissions.

NOPB received about $214,000 in federal stimulus dollars to help fund the installation of idle-reduction equipment on seven locomotives. Each year, the equipment will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide by 696 tons; particulate matter by 20 tons; hydrocarbons by 32 tons; and carbon monoxide by 91 tons, according to the DEQ. In addition, the idle-reduction systems will help NOPB cut fuel usage.

“The emission reductions from the NOPB project are a perfect example of voluntary emission reductions that will benefit the environment for many years,” said DEQ Secretary Peggy Hatch in a prepared statement.

Overall, the DEQ received $1.7 million in federal stimulus funds for projects designed to reduce air pollutants emitted by diesel engines.