At the Southeast Diesel Collaborative’s (SEDC) 8th Annual Partners Meeting in Atlanta, Ga., Mecklenburg County, N.C., received SEDC Visionary Champion Leadership Award for its diesel emissions reduction efforts.

The County completed 176 retrofit and replacement projects during the first five years since the County implemented its Grants to Replace Aging Diesel Engines (GRADE) program. In addition, the County used $2 million, with some of the funds coming from the U.S. EPA and Department of Transportation, to replace or retrofit construction, mining, forestry and airport equipment.

The County also implemented an airline rebate program by reducing the amount of nitrogen oxides emitted from 66 pieces of ground support equipment at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Two other award recipients included Saddle Creek Logistics Services in Lakeland, Fla., and the Georgia Ports Authority for making changes to its port infrastructure (cranes, locomotives, etc.).

Previous recipients of this award include United Parcel Service, Coca Cola Enterprises, Ingram Barge Company, Staples, North Carolina Solar Center, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Miami-Dade County, Florida Government, Alabama Department of Transportation, and Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition.

The Southeast Diesel Collaborative is part of EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign, according to the organization.