City to transform trucks into greener vehicles

PROVIDENCE—The city of Providence plans to use a federal grant to make its vehicles more environmentally friendly.

Mayor David Cicilline announced at a press conference Thursday that the city received $565,000 to transform 42 trucks into greener vehicles.

Cicilline said 30 trucks from the Department of Public Works will be targeted first to be retrofitted with the diesel emissions technology. The new technology reduces emissions by as much as 90 percent per vehicle.

“Over the past 20 years numerous studies have shown that diesel exhaust is a major source of air pollution. However the characteristic black smoke and strong odor associated with diesel trucks will become a thing of the past with this new system,“ he said.

The works is expected to be done by September.

“I think it sends a message that the city cares about the quality of life they are providing even in the areas that are nitty and gritty and the areas that you don’t even think about,“ said Annie Costner, campaign coordinator of Clean Water Action.