EPA grant for New Orleans retrofit

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a National Clean Diesel Funding grant to the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and project partner, the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), to help retrofit the engine of a conventional diesel locomotive for low-emission output beyond current requirements.

This eco-locomotive, the first of its kind in the New Orleans gateway, will meet ultra-low emitting standards (Tier 4) and result in immediate air quality benefits such as reducing ozone precursors, diesel particulate matter, as well as fuel consumption and the corresponding greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA grant will provide 40% of the retrofit’s total cost. NOPB will carry out the engine’s retrofit this spring. Once completed, the eco-locomotive will officially be dedicated for use on the NOPB system that serves Port Nola.