Ohio’s Economic and Transportation Systems Powered By Clean Diesel Technology

Did You Know . . .

118,000 diesel powered machines were used by the state's construction industry, generating $15.7 billion, the 10th largest in the U.S., and employing over 250,000. The only goods-producing industry expected to post a net gain of jobs from 2004-2014 is construction, growing 10.6 percent.

Over 326 million tons of cargo was transported over 5,275 rail miles in the state. Ohio's trucking industry employs over 70,000. Freight movements are predominantly diesel powered and expected to double over the next decade.

Ohio's public transit fleet consists of over 3,500 vehicles. Of the buses, almost 93 percent are powered by diesel fuel. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is the 17th largest transit district in the country with 83 percent of the buses being diesel powered.

Washington, D.C. - Advanced and clean diesel technology is vital to the stability and growth of Ohio’s economy, transportation system and environment. To provide a comprehensive compilation of information on diesel’s importance to Ohio, the Diesel Technology Forum has compiled a fact sheet based on local, state and federal data that examines diesel technology’s role in the state’s transportation and economic systems – “Diesel Powers Ohio’s Economy”.

Ohio's GDP was valued at $466 billion, making it the seventh largest economy in the U.S. in 2007. As a strong manufacturing state, Ohio depends on diesel power to transport its goods with manufacturing accounting for 19.3 percent of GDP and trade accounting for 13 percent.

Ohio merchandise exports were $42.4 billion, representing approximately 3.9 percent of total U.S. exports in 2007.Air quality is a major concern in Ohio and state policymakers are promoting clean diesel technology as a way to come into compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's clean air standards

New Clean Diesel Trucks Have Near Zero Emissions

In the United States, emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses have been reduced by 99 percent for nitrogen oxides (NOx) - an ozone precursor - and particulate emissions. A key part of reducing emissions has been the shift to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel that has been available since 2006. This change in fuel specification reduced sulfur emissions by 97 percent – from 500 PM to 15 PM - and enables the use of advanced emissions control technologies. These same clean diesel technologies will be phased in for new off-road vehicles and equipment through 2015.

Existing older diesel vehicles can be retrofitted with these technologies to significantly reduce emissions while greenhouse gas emission reductions are being realized through growing use of hybridization and renewable fuels.

Ohio’s Freight and Transit Systems Rely Heavily on Diesel Technology

Agriculture: Ohio has a strong manufacturing base, however it also saw $3.7 billion worth of agricultural products produced in 2007, the 13th highest in the country.Ohio is a leader in the production of soybeans, its largest crop, and corn.Approximately 112 million gallons of diesel fuel were used by machines such as farm tractors, combines and irrigation pumps in 2006.

Construction: 118,000 diesel powered machines were used by the state's construction industry in 2007, generating $15.7 billion, the 10th largest in the U.S., and employing over 250,000.From 1990 to 2006, construction employment grew 19.6 percent.The only goods-producing industry expected to post a net gain of jobs from 2004-2014 is construction, growing 10.6 percent.

Ground Transportation: Over 326 million tons of cargo was transported over 5,275 rail miles in the state. Ohio's trucking industry employs over 70,000 and was worth more than $6.1 billion in 2006, the fourth highest in the country. Commercial truck traffic accounts for 60 percent of Ohio's overall freight shipments by weight and 92 percent freight by volume. Freight movements are predominantly diesel powered and expected to double over the next decade.

Mineral Production: Ohio's non-fuel mineral production was worth $1.26 billion in 2006, the 17th highest in the country.Coal and natural gas are the top sources of income for the state's mining industry, which relies on diesel powered equipment.

Port and Marine: Ohio has 716 miles of navigable waterways along its borders and ranks fourth in the nation for total water tonnage moved. The Port of Cleveland is the state's largest port, handling over 15 million tons annually, fourth among Great Lakes ports. The Ohio River System accounts for one third of all U.S. inland waterborne commerce by tonnage per year, more cargo than the Panama Canal. The state's fleet of nine ferries is completely diesel powered.

Transit: Ohio's public transit fleet consists of over 3,500 vehicles. Of the buses, almost 93 percent are powered by diesel fuel. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is the 17th largest transit district in the country. 83 percent of their buses are diesel powered, with plans to order 21 new diesel electric hybrids.

School Buses: There are over 20,000 school buses running in the state.Thanks to the Ohio's Clean Diesel School Bus fund, $1.6 million has been used from polluter penalties over two years to retrofit 642 school buses in 33 school districts.

Public Health and Safety: The Cincinnati Fire Department utilizes a fleet of 26 fire engines and 12 ladder trucks in addition to several other vehicles.The Cleveland Fire Department has 27 fire engines.More than 41,200 EMS technicians rely on ambulances to provide emergency care. These emergency vehicles are almost exclusively powered by diesel engines because of their durability and reliability.

Air Transportation: There are 729 aviation facilities in the state, making it the 13th largest air transportation industry in the country.Ohio's six commercial service airports enplaned more than 11.2 million passengers in 2004, with a total economic impact of $8.8 billion.Aviation services are critical to many industries which depend on the diesel industry such as goods movement, agriculture and emergency services.

Fact Sheets Also Available For Other States

In addition, DTF has compiled additional state fact sheets about diesel technology’s importance in other states throughout the U.S.

Diesel Contributes $480 Billion and 1.25 Million Jobs Annually in U.S.

Nationally, the diesel industry contributes more than $480 billion annually to the U.S. economy, provides more than 1.25 million jobs, and supplies a substantial export-to-value ratio five times higher than the national average, according to a recent economic report released by DTF.

The reports states: “As policymakers look to promote cleaner, more fuel efficient technologies, its use will grow along with other competitive alternatives. Diesel technology’s future value is further enhanced by its suitability for hybrid applications and its readiness to utilize a diverse range of first and second generation renewable and biodiesel fuels.

“National fuel economy standards for cars and light-duty trucks beginning in 2017 are expected to be met in part by an increasing number of clean diesel passenger vehicle choices. Similarly, first-ever fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks and buses beginning in 2014 will drive further innovation and efficiency gains in diesel technology as a key compliance strategy.”

More Than 80% of All Freight in U.S. Is Transported By Diesel Power

Other facts outlined in the economic report include:

• Diesel Moves 80 Percent of All Freight: Diesel-powered trucks, trains, ships and intermodal systems moved 83 percent of freight by value ($11.7 trillion) and 85 percent by weight (12.5 billion tons) in 2007.

• Diesel Powers Over 70 Percent Transit Buses: Approximately 71 percent of transit buses and 58 percent of commuter rail passenger-miles are provided by diesel-fueled trains.
• Clean Diesel Auto Sales Projected To Increase Significantly: Currently, only 3.4 percent of the cars in the U.S. are diesel-powered. Diesel accounts for a larger share of pickup trucks (13.6 percent). However, clean diesel sales are increasing and diesel auto sales increased 27.5 percent during the first six months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 (the overall automobile market increased 14.9 percent). Some analysts predict that diesel passenger cars will account for 10 percent of the market by 2015.

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.