A total of 108 older forklifts have been exchanged for newer ones as part of a Texas program that seeks to replace older diesel, gasoline and propane forklifts with newer, cleaner propane- and natural gas-fueled vehicles.
The Railroad Commission of Texas authorized incentive payments averaging $10,703 per replacement to about 38 companies doing business in Texas in order to meet new emissions requirements instituted by the US Environmental Protection Agency. So far, more than $1.16 million has been spent on the program.
The Texas Equipment Replacement Program (TERP) replaced 79 forklifts in Dallas/Fort Worth, 19 in Houston, 9 in San Antonio, and 1 in Austin.
The biggest users of the program included the Boise Cascade Co., of Boise, Idaho, which received about $43,000 to replace two of its existing forklifts with newer, more environmentally friendlier models at its Dallas building materials distribution facility.
The TERP program was launched in 2001 to help bring down the amount of smog and other pollutants in 39 Texas counties where air quality fell below federal standards.
In order to qualify for the program, businesses must commit to destroying the old forklift prior to receiving the propane initiative grant. Holes must be bored into the engine block and the frame must be cut to make sure the chassis can’t be reused. A scrap receipt must be submitted to TERP auditors.
Since payments began in 2004, the railroad commission has paid out more than $38 million to 891 companies. The average payment was $11,190.