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The New Technology Research and Development Program (NTRD) was established by the Texas Legislature in 2001 with the passage of Senate Bill 5, which also established the Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP). The NTRD program was administered by the University of Texas from September 1, 2001 - August 31, 2003. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) began to administer this program on September 1, 2003, which will continue through August 31, 2005. TERC assumes responsibility for the NTRD program on September 1, 2005.
The fundamental purpose of the NTRD program is to facilitate the development, certification and verification of new technologies so that they may be broadly and economically used to support clean air attainment efforts.
Reducing NOx and particulates from diesel fueled vehicles and equipment is the primary reason the Legislature established the TERP. New technologies are certified or verified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the California Air Resources Board (CARB). In order to be successful in administering the NTRD program, TERC must facilitate the following critical actions items in cooperation with the TCEQ, the EPA, CARB and technology manufacturers:
- Identify the sources of emissions in Texas that must be targeted for new technologies because of federal pre-emption requirements and eight-hour ozone attainment mandates;
- Identification, testing and evaluation of the new and emerging technologies which are capable of reducing emissions in a cost effective manner from the targeted sources;
- Collaboration with the EPA and CARB on the actions TERC should take to facilitate the certification or verification of the needed new technologies;
- Development and implementation of TERC funded technology projects on the basis of input received from the EPA, CARB and equipment manufacturers; and
- Broad-based distribution of information regarding new and emerging technologies.
For historical information about the NTRD program see the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's website.
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| Page Updated/Reviewed: 04/20/2007 10:59 AM |
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© 2005 - 2008 Texas Environmental Research Consortium
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