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Geo2Technologies Joins with Local Advocacy Groups to Stage Diesel Showdown, 10.17.07 

 GEO2 Technologies Joins with Local Advocacy Group to Stage Diesel Showdown

Company’s Own Technology to be Featured in Clean Diesel Demonstration in Support of Pending Diesel Retrofit Legislation; Bill Sponsor Senator Jack Hart to Attend

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GEO2 Technologies Inc., a leading developer of multifunctional filters for next-generation clean diesel solutions, today announced it will join with local advocacy group, Diesel Pollution Solution Coalition, to stage a landmark diesel retrofit demonstration on Monday, October 22, 2007. The demonstration, held at John Marshall Elementary School in Dorchester, Mass., is the first in a series of rallies being held around Boston in support of An Act to Protect Public Health and Air Quality from Harmful Diesel Emissions (H-732 and S-502), currently before the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Bill co-sponsor, Senator Jack Hart (D-Boston), will speak at the event.

Passage of An Act to Protect Public Health and Air Quality from Harmful Diesel Emissions would require all heavy-duty diesel fleets owned, operated or contracted by the State be retrofitted with diesel particulate filters (DPF) by 2010, reducing the level of diesel pollution produced in and around Massachusetts’ urban communities by vehicles such as garbage trucks, construction equipment, delivery vehicles and trains. As part of the demonstration, pollution output will be measured on a retrofitted clean-diesel truck, courtesy of GEO2 Technologies, against a traditional diesel-powered vehicle of comparable weight and size to underscore the effectiveness of advanced DPFs in reducing harmful emissions. GEO2 catalyzed filters remove over 99 percent of particulate matter and other pollutants from diesel exhaust, presenting a viable and sustainable solution for a cleaner, healthier environment.

WHO: Diesel Solution Pollution Coalition, in partnership with GEO2 Technologies

WHAT: Diesel retrofit demonstration in support of An Act to Protect Public Health and Air Quality from Harmful Diesel Emissions (H-732 and S-502)

WHEN: Monday, October 22, 2007 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: John Marshall Elementary School, 35 Westville Street, Dorchester, Mass.

** PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - scientific testing of particulate emissions on a traditional diesel truck vs. clean-diesel truck

“Installing DPFs is a step in the right direction in terms of reducing emissions in our state and improving the health of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Sam Krasnow, policy advocate & attorney, Environment Northeast, a non-profit research and advocacy organization. “The Boston area has the third highest risk from diesel pollution in the country, making the need for this legislation and continued innovation in the emissions control field critical. Passage of this bill is a win-win. Not only would Massachusetts residents breathe easier, but it could positively impact our local economy by building a vibrant retrofit industry in our state, creating jobs and promoting innovation from homegrown companies.”

“Developing effective and sustainable clean-diesel technologies is paramount today given the health and environmental risks associated with diesel emissions,” said Noah Loren, director of product applications, GEO2 Technologies. “Massachusetts has historically taken a hard stance on emissions control – in many ways leading the charge nationally along with California and New York. However, the state has lagged behind other environmentally conscious states in mandating diesel retrofits, especially in urban areas. If this legislation passes, the state will effectively retake its position as a leader in reducing emissions to benefit public health. As a local company, we’re pleased to partner with the Diesel Pollution Solution Coalition to make this a reality for Massachusetts.”

Out of all U.S. cities, the Boston metropolitan area incurs the fifth highest number of premature deaths due to diesel pollution annually, according to the Clean Air Task Force. In addition, five of Massachusetts’ 14 counties are in the 90th percentile or higher nationally for health risk from diesel particulate matter. To address this critical issue, the Massachusetts Diesel Pollution Solution Coalition was formed, comprised of leading grassroots, environmental justice and advocacy organizations in the Massachusetts area, including Environment Northeast, Clean Water Action, Environment MASS and Alternatives for Community & Environment. The goal of this coalition is to ensure cleaning up diesel pollution remains a top priority for policymakers in greater Boston and Massachusetts. For more information on the Diesel Pollution Solution Coalition, visit http://www.env-ne.org/Program_Fact_Sheets/Diesel_Project/MA_ Diesel_leg_factsheet.pdf (Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste it into your Internet browser's URL address field. You may also need to remove an extra space in the URL if one exists.)

About GEO2 Technologies

GEO2 Technologies Inc., a leading developer of multifunctional filters for next-generation clean diesel solutions, is helping to meet the global need for better fuel economy with reduced emissions. The company has pioneered a patented, cross-linked microstructure for diesel particulate filtering and other gas and fluid emission control applications. This microstructure achieves the previously-unattainable combination of high porosity, high filtration efficiency, high temperature resistance and low back pressure. The filter, which breaks traditional compromises in strength and porosity, enables flexibility in system design and thereby reduces a system’s cost, weight and size. As a result, automakers can offer clean diesel models more quickly and cost-effectively without downgrading performance. GEO2 works directly with ceramic and catalyst companies, as well as automakers, that design, manufacture and sell products based on GEO2’s technology, to provide a competitive advantage in the fast-growth diesel market. Headquartered in Woburn, Mass., the company’s proven materials technology was developed by respected scientists and engineers in the filtration, ceramics, emissions and automotive industries. For more information, visit www.geo2tech.com.