DEP's Repower Program Helps Maine's Fishing Industry
September 24, 2009
CONTACT:
Lynne Cayting 287-7599
(STONINGTON) The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) announces the implementation of stimulus money to help fishermen replace their boats’ old diesel engines.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded Maine with $1.73 million through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) for clean energy projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Of that, $1.2 million will be distributed through the Maine Clean Marine Engine Program. This infusion of stimulus money will help the coastal economy, assist the beleaguered fishing industry, and reduce harmful exhaust emissions.
“This money makes it possible for fishermen to change out their dirty inefficient engines, for cleaner more efficient ones, and also reduces the fishermen’s exposure to diesel emissions,” said Commissioner David Littell, Maine Department of Environmental Protection. “Maine’s program will serve as a national model for the benefits of repowering commercial marine vessels.”
Lobster fisherman Jason Witham of Thomaston is the second boat owner to have his boat repowered through the program. “What the DEP is doing is a huge help to fisherman like myself, it makes it doable for us to get a new cleaner more efficient engine that will save us money everyday we head out on the water,” said Witham.
The MDEP is collaborating with the Maine Marine Trades Association (MMTA) and the Harvard School of Public Health to administer the first statewide program to repower commercial marine vessels. The Harvard School of Public Health is assessing lobstermen’s exposure to harmful diesel exhaust before and after the engines are replaced. “This is a unique and valuable opportunity to support the Maine Clean Marine Engine Program and be able to document what we believe will be a reduction in diesel exhaust, which benefits the health of fishermen who work these boats,” said Ann Backus of the Harvard School of Public Health.
The program will cover half the cost of an EPA Tier II certified and compliant engine and its installation. MDEP expects the program will repower at least 40 engines; including 30 lobster boats, 4 fishing vessels, a schooner, 1 aquaculture boat, 3 island ferries, and the Sunbeam which provides spiritual, health, and youth programs to island communities.
