LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded more than $470,000 to UPS to replace old diesel engines and generators in order to reduce particulate matter emissions at its Worldport air hub.

The funds are being distributed to UPS through the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, which is receiving the money from the EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign. The money will fund two projects at the Worldport air hub, located at Louisville International Airport.

First, UPS will replace diesel engines in 92 ground support cargo trucks with newer, cleaner engines that put out nearly zero particulate matter emissions, preventing about 5.3 tons of emissions a year.

Second, UPS will install electricity units to provide power to parked aircraft, replacing 26 diesel-powered generators and cutting down on 2.2 tons of particulate matter emissions yearly. In total, UPS is receiving $473,939 for the new equipment.

At Worldport, UPS has taken up a number of other initiatives to cut energy use and emissions of all types, including optimizing flight routes, shutting down unneeded engines when taxiing, testing alternative fuels in ground support vehicles and better managing aircraft dispatch to minimize taxi times.