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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday announced the first $3.4 million for clean diesel projects under the agency’s diesel emissions reduction program.

The grants will help trucking save more than $72 million in fuel costs per year, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said in a statemen

The awards program is intended to promote saving fuel and lowering greenhouse gas and exhaust emissions from diesel engines.

Three organizations — Community Development Transportation Lending Services, Cascade Sierra Solutions and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association — will share the grant to help small trucking companies lower fuel costs and emissions through loans and rebates, the agency said.