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COLUMN: Sustainable Medford
DATE: September 7, 2006
AUTHOR: Renee Robicheau
DPW, Environment Office Receive Climate Protection Grant
Another step closer to breathing fresh air, on April 4, 2006 Medford was awarded a Diesel Retrofit Climate Protection Grant from the MA Department of Environmental Protection. This grant allowed the City of Medford to retrofit four Department of Public Work’s diesel trucks with Diesel Oxidation Catalyst’s (DOC)’s. The DOC effectively reduces carbon monoxide (CO), which combined with oxygen makes carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM), and hydrocarbons (HC).
All of these harmful emissions contribute to a number of health and environmental problems; two of the most serious are respiratory illnesses and global warming. Thanks to a team effort by Medford’s Energy & Environment Office and the Department of Public Works, this project has reduced the emissions of these four DPW trucks by about 70 percent.
The decision to convert to DOC’s was inspired by the City of Medford’s Vehicle Emission Reduction Program (VERP), which is consistent with the goals of the Massachusetts Climate Protection Plan and Medford’s own Climate Action Plan. The City of Medford’s VERP seeks to improve air quality by retrofitting not just one, but all of the major fleets with routes throughout Medford. These fleets consist of the City’s municipal Department of Public Works (DPW) fleet, Waste Management’s fleet of refuse haulers and recycling trucks, and the school bus fleet. By addressing the important fleets in the City of Medford, we believe we can more effectively make a difference in the quality of the air in and around the City of Medford.
Medford’s VERP has been divided into two phases. Phase 1 will retrofit the City of Medford’s DPW fleet, which includes diesel vehicles used by various divisions. Additionally, the Cemetery Division of the DPW will continue to utilize biodiesel (B-20). Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that is usually refined from soybean oil. This renewable fuel is safe, biodegradable and can help reduce many air pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and air toxics. Furthermore, all DPW vehicles will be using ultra low sulfur diesel as mandated by federal law by the end of 2006. Phase 2 of the City of Medford’s VERP has already been completed. This phase focused on retrofitting the school bus fleet, which was a huge accomplishment. The school
bus fleet had been producing 88.4% of Medford’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Since 2005 the City of Medford’s students have been riding diesel retrofitted buses fueled by ultra low sulfur diesel, which has resulted in an estimated 90% reduction in criteria air pollutants.
After thoughtful consideration the first four DPW trucks that were chosen to be retrofitted with a DOC were the 1998 Rubbish Packer from the Parks Department, two 2002 International 5-ton Dump trucks from the Highway Department, and the 2000 International Bucket Truck from the Forestry Department. These DOC’s were successfully installed at the Department of Public Works in June 2006. Medford has made great strides when it comes to taking initiative for environmental protection, and will continue to make the city a healthier and cleaner place.
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