State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) announced today that the Allegheny County Health Department will receive a $433,100 grant to coordinate a project with the City of Pittsburgh to retrofit 33 waste-hauling vehicles operated by the city with diesel particulate filters verified by EPA or the California Air Resource Board. The funds were provided through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s State Clean Diesel Program by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

A stalwart proponent of clean energy investments and other green economic development initiatives, Senator Ferlo applauded Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl for his ongoing commitment to cleaning and greening the City’s operations.

“At every turn, Mayor Ravenstahl has found ways, big and small, to steer our City’s ship in a much greener direction,” Ferlo said. “In this case the Mayor is continuing two of his pledges to the public by combining his commitment to basic city services and a cleaner environment.”

This effort to clean the City’s diesel fleet comes on the heels of other investments the City has made in LED traffic signalization, the hiring of Sustainability Coordinators at both the City and Urban Redevelopment Authority, energy audits on City-owned buildings, and as a Solar America City, solar investments planned for City firehouses including Firehouse No. 34 in Woods Run which is to have a solar hot water system installed later this month.

“Mayor Ravenstahl has been able to tighten the City’s belt without slashing funding to these green investments,” Ferlo said. “On the contrary, he’s identified and taken advantage of funding opportunities to promote a greener agenda. It’s been a breath of fresh air.”