Luck Stone and VCC at JMU Collaborate to Help Reduce Diesel Emissions

September 17, 2010

Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University and Luck Stone Collaborate to Help Reduce Diesel Emissions from Construction Equipment at Four Virginia-based plants

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Harrisonburg, Va. (September 17, 2010) – The Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Administrator Shawn Garvin attended an event yesterday at Luck Stone to celebrate the first construction equipment repower project in the State of Va., in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University.

Funding from the EPA to Virginia Clean Cities and James Madison University will help launch the first construction repowering project in Virginia to reduce harmful diesel pollution at four Luck Stone plants operating in Richmond, Charlottesville, Leesburg, and Burkeville. “James Madison University is pleased to join this innovative public-private partnership pursuing solutions to improve air quality and produce jobs in the Commonwealth. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for the faculty, staff, and students of JMU to participate on a project with the potential to positively impact the lives of Virginians,” said JMU’s Director of Research Development Ken Newbold.

EPA’s $710,000 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant, combined with $1.1 million from Luck Stone, will enable the company to repower or replace 11 off-road construction vehicles with new, more efficient diesel engines and generators.

“Putting clean diesel engines to use will bring cleaner, healthier air for the workers and neighborhoods surrounding these plants,” said EPA mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “EPA is pleased to support Virginia Clean Cities’ newest initiative to improve air quality and public health for Virginia’s citizens.”

Luck Stone’s Vice President of Environmental Design & Development Doug Palmore said, “We are honored to be participating in the inaugural construction repower project for Virginia along with the EPA, James Madison University, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality and Virginia Clean Cities,” Palmore added. “This partnership lines up perfectly with our environmental ethic and practices which focus on creating a net positive outcome for the environment and communities we serve.”

The Luck Stone project is the first construction equipment repowering project in Virginia to be funded by EPA. The new engines, to be repowered by Caterpillar, will result in a 50 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides and 65 percent reduction in particulate matter for each piece of equipment. Nitrogen oxides and particulate matter are prevalent air pollutants linked to asthma and other respiratory illness. Annually, the project will eliminate 30.85 tons of nitrogen oxide, two tons of particulate matter, 11.93 tons of carbon monoxide, and 2.74 tons of hydrocarbons from being emitted at the four plants. In addition, the project will create about 20 jobs.

“The heavy trucks and equipment that are being repowered or replaced are not only striking in their size and capability, but are critical to Luck Stone’s ability to provide quality crushed stone,” said Virginia Clean Cities Executive Director Chelsea Jenkins. “Virginia Clean Cities and James Madison University are energized to participate in such a significant project that will aide in curbing the impact such equipment has on the environment and ultimately Virginia’s economy and the health of its citizens.”