(Madison, Wisconsin, May 20, 2015) – Leonardo Academy has been awarded $951,457 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help reduce emissions from diesel engines in EPA Region 5, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The EPA Region 5 and the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative (MCDI) awarded the grant as part of the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.

Reducing emissions from diesel engines is currently one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. Even with EPA's more stringent heavy-duty highway and non-road engine standards set to take effect over the next decade, millions of diesel engines already in use will continue to emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and air toxics, which contribute to serious public health problems. This EPA grant program provides great incentives that accelerate the reduction of emissions from existing diesel engines.

Leonardo Academy will use the grant for clean diesel projects in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin that significantly reduce emissions from construction equipment, refuse haulers, school buses, and long-haul trucks. Anticipated emission reduction strategies for this project include engine repowers and idle reduction technologies. It is estimated that the projects will reduce over 4,500 tons of carbon dioxide, 600 tons of nitrogen oxides and 20 tons of particulate matter. These strategies will also reduce fuel usage and maintenance costs, which in turn will help with job creation for project participants.

“We are extremely proud to receive this grant and for our partnerships with the EPA, MCDI, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air,” stated Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy. “Leonardo Academy is dedicated to developing sustainability strategies for companies and organizations that employ environmental and social equity strategies to drive economic success. Leonardo Academy believes that our extensive experience in helping organizations understand, quantify, manage, and report their overall sustainability will help enhance the goals of our partners locally, as well as on a regional and national basis.”

Leonardo Academy is also a member of the Wisconsin Clean Diesel Coalition (WCDC). The WCDC is a collaborative of diesel fleets, engine manufacturers, government agencies, and other nonprofit and private stakeholders that have joined efforts to voluntarily explore, develop, and implement mobile diesel emission reduction strategies in Wisconsin. WCDC focuses on educational outreach and development of funding mechanisms to accelerate emission reductions from diesel fleets.

Upcoming Grant Opportunities
Public and private organizations owning diesel fleets and equipment are invited to sign up to be considered for inclusion in Leonardo Academy proposals for future funding opportunities.  Please contact Mary Reames, Sustainability Project Manager, at Tel: (608) 280-0255 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .