Frequently Asked Questions
What is the STRIDE Collaborative and how can it help me reduce diesel emissions in my area?
The STRIDE Collaborative is a partnership among federal, state, and local governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders in the Southeast to reduce air pollution from diesel engines. The goal is to improve air quality by encouraging the use of clean, renewable energy and by encouraging the use of technologies and practices that reduce diesel emissions. STRIDE membership is composed of representatives from air quality agencies, energy offices, departments of transportation, as well as vehicle & equipment manufacturers, alternative fuel providers, and fleet managers. The STRIDE Collaborative serves as a resource for networking among those interested in reducing diesel emissions.
Why is the STRIDE Collaborative working to reduce diesel emissions?
The diesel engine continues to be a vital workhorse in the United States, powering many of its large trucks, buses, farm, railroad, marine, and construction equipment. However, diesel exhaust contains a complex mixture of gases and particulates. Human exposure to exhaust comes from both highway (on-road) and non-road uses of diesel engines. Long-term inhalation is likely to pose a lung cancer hazard to humans and even short-term exposure can cause health risks such as aggravation of asthma, decreased lung capabilities, and other health issues. Diesel engines are also very durable and remain in service for extended periods of time, sometimes as long as 30 years or more. While newer diesel engines have to meet strict emission limits, there is a very large number of older, high polluting engines that are still being used. The STRIDE Collaborative is working to help reduce the emissions from these older engines through voluntary programs encouraging the use of cleaner, renewable fuels, installation of clean technologies, replacement of older engines, and the use of best practices such as idle reduction programs.
Who can I contact in my state to learn more about alternative fuels?
To learn more on the alternative fuels that are available in your region and to learn more about funding opportunities for alternative fuel vehicles, you can reach out to your local Clean Cities Coalition. You can view a map of the various Clean Cities Coalitions here or click on the link below to find your contact:
Why is the use of verified technology important in reducing diesel emissions?
EPA’s diesel technology verification process evaluates the emission reduction performance and durability of retrofit technologies and provides users with confidence that the technology will perform as expected. Before being placed on the Verified Technology List, the technology must go through a thorough technical review and tightly controlled testing to demonstrate statistically significant levels of emission reductions. California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) also conducts its own verification process. Technologies verified through CARB are also recognized by EPA.
When considering the use of a given verified technology it is very important to look at the specific application being considered. Among other items, this involves: evaluating if the vehicle will be used on-road or off-road, the manufacturer, year, model size, and horsepower rating of the engine. For temperature sensitive devices such as diesel oxidation catalysts this also involves looking at the duty cycle and temperature profile of the vehicle in question. This involves the use of data logging equipment on the vehicle being considered for retrofit to ensure that it meets the proper temperature for the device being evaluated. More information on technology verification can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/verified-diesel-tech/learn-about-verified-technologies-clean-diesel
Where can I find an accurate list of alternative fuel stations in my area so that I know what fueling options I have?
The Clean Cities program offers a great fuel locator resource which is up-to-date. You can find it here: https://afdc.energy.gov/stations/#/find/nearest
I am interested in reducing diesel emissions, but live outside of the Southeast. Are there other collaboratives working in my region?
Yes, there are a number of other diesel collaboratives out there dedicated to reducing diesel emissions in other parts of the country. Please see the list below:
Clean Air Northeast
Clean Air Northeast (previously the Northeast Diesel Collaborative) is dedicated to reducing emissions from diesel engines in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, the US Virgin Islands, Vermont, as well as the 10 Tribal Nations located in EPA Region 1, and the 8 Tribal Nations located in EPA Region 2.
For more information, please visit the Clean Air Northeast Page.
Mid-Atlantic Diesel Collaborative (MDC)
The Mid-Atlantic Diesel Collaborative is dedicated to reducing emissions from diesel engines in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, as well as the 7 Tribal Nations located in EPA Region 3.
For more information, please visit the MDC Page.
Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative (MCDI)
The Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative is dedicated to reducing emissions from diesel engines in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, as well as the 35 Tribal Nations located in EPA Region 5.
For more information, please visit the MCDI Page.
Blue Skyways Collaborative
The Blue Skyways Collaborative is dedicated to reducing emissions from diesel engines in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, as well as the 66 Tribal Nations in EPA Region 6 and the 9 Tribal Nations in EPA Region 7.
The Blue Skyways Collaborative is currently inactive. For more information on the collaborative and on reducing diesel emissions in the region, please reach out to Greg Crable in EPA Region 7.
Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative
The Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative is dedicated to reducing emissions from diesel engines in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and the 27 Tribal Nations in EPA Region 8.
The Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative is currently inactive. If you have questions related to reducing diesel emissions in the region, please reach out to EPA Region 8.
West Coast Collaborative (WCC)
The West Coast Collaborative is dedicated to reducing emissions from diesel engines in Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, the Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Washington, as well as the 148 Tribal Nations located in EPA Region 9 and the 271 Tribal Nations located in EPA Region 10.
For more information, please visit the WCC page.