Three Wichita construction companies will upgrade a total of 21 pieces of construction equipment through a federal grant aimed at reducing diesel emissions; Cornejo Construction, Bergkamp Construction, and Sherwood Construction.

The upgrades will mean less black smoke coming out of the smokestacks, because the equipment will be burning less diesel fuel, while not losing any horsepower.

The upgrades are part of a $4 million grant from the EPA as part of $88.2 million allocated for the Clean Diesel Program through the federal stimulus dollars.  KDHE will be administering the money, and they estimate that the money will help save or create 105 jobs statewide.