Two Johnson County trucking companies have been awarded rebates from the Texas Emissions Reduction Program to replace older vehicles with newer ones that emit lower levels of nitrogen oxide pollutants.
RD West Trucking of Godley, Valentine Trucking of Burleson and two other North Texas trucking companies were awarded rebates totaling $526,000 to help replace older, higher-polluting vehicles and equipment.
RD West Trucking of Godley was awarded a rebate for a new haul truck and Valentine Trucking of Burleson was awarded a rebate for a new dump truck.
Jamie Ray of Valentine Trucking said her company is glad it received a rebate for a new vehicle.
The rebate Valentine was awarded covered half the cost of a 2009 Peterbilt truck the company purchased to replace an old 1981 GMC model.
“We wouldn’t have been able to replace the truck now if it weren’t for the rebate,” Ray said. “We would have had to wait a lot longer. We’ve already seen a difference in maintenance costs, and the pollutants that it’s saving are just astronomical. For this one truck, it will save about one ton a year of nitrous oxide pollutants. The new trucks they’re building are much cleaner burning.”
Ray said one of the requirements of receiving the rebate was that the old truck had to be destroyed so it could no longer be used.
In 2008, TERP offered businesses in North Texas both rebates and grants. The $30 million in rebates were first-come, first-served and have already been awarded, said TERP Program Manager Leslie Rauscher.
$110 million in grants are available and will be awarded on a competitive basis, she said.
Valentine has also applied for a grant to replace two other older vehicles. The company expects to find out in June if it won the grant, Valentine said.
RD West could not be reached for comment.
The money comes from a state fund set up to help clean the air by removing older vehicles and nitrous oxide pollutants from the roads, Rauscher said.
Nitrous oxides are a precursor to ozone, she said.
“We’re targeting to clean up 5,000 engines and vehicles, which will enable North Texas to see a significant improvement in air quality,” Rauscher said.
The program, created six years ago, will award up to $140 million statewide in 2008. TERP is engaging in a joint effort with local governments and organizations to promote the vehicle cleanup program.
TERP has set up a free hotline for businesses to call for information and obtain help in applying for the state funds.
The process is free, but applications for grants must be turned in by 5 p.m. Friday.
“It’s imperative that they call soon,” Rauscher said. “Don’t hesitate because time is running out.”
Local News
Rebates help with replacing old trucks
Two Johnson Co. companies receive funding from state
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May/June 2012 Community Life magazine
The May/June 2012 edition of Community Life magazine is available for online viewing. Click here to view.
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Primary election today
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator. Primary election day hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must vote at their precinct location. For information visit the Johnson County Election Office’s website at www.JohnsonCountyElections.com or call 817-556-6197.
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Officials, residents remember those who gave it all
A robust breeze alleviated the heat somewhat Monday morning at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, but also played pandemonium with the setting up of a memorial table for POW and MIA veterans. Wind tipped a vase holding a single rose shattering it on the pavement. A hastily retrieved replacement held out but at one point toppled causing water to spill inches shy of the public announcement speaker.
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A mother’s love, one day at a time
To everyone else, it was a regular Thursday. It was almost the weekend, almost summer break, time for vacation or time with family.
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Candidates vie for Pct. 2, 3 seats
County voters will weigh in on three Johnson County Commissioners Court seats up for election on Tuesday. In addition to the five-candidate Precinct 1 race, voters living in precincts 2 and 3 will also vote for the commissioner of their choice.
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Primary could decide constables
Ten candidates, all Republican, compete in their four respective precincts in the May 29 primary. With no Democratic opponents to face in November’s general election, the primary should decide the winner of all but one possible race.
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Voters urged to check for possible precinct changes
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator.
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Early voting numbers well short of ’08
Early voting turnout in Johnson County’s Democratic and Republican primaries totaled 3,914 as of Friday morning. That total includes 309 votes in the Democratic Primary and 3,605 in the Republican Primary.
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Yellow Jackets headed to finals
GRAHAM — The Wichita Falls Rider pitching staff swam with sharks for most of five innings Friday, avoiding all but a few love taps and playful nips from Cleburne batters.
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Changes at Splash Station
Splash Station officially opens for the summer season this weekend, and those who frequented the park in years past may notice some modifications.
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