Congressman Jim Gerlach visited Johnson Matthey’s Environmental Catalysts and Technologies (ECT) group in Wayne recently. Rep. Gerlach acknowledged the company’s multi-million dollar investment in facilities and equipment that enable diesel-powered vehicles to adopt the emissions control initiatives outlined in H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act, which was signed into law in early August. These initiatives also enable diesel-powered vehicles to meet the 2007 emissions standards promulgated by the EPA in February 2001.
Johnson Matthey is increasing production capacity at its Wayne plant
(located at 434 Devon Park Drive), which manufactures advanced catalysts and filters that make possible the wide implementation of clean diesel technology for light- and heavy-duty diesel engines. These filters eliminate more than 90% of the pollutants that are exhausted into the air as soot and harmful gasses. The company will
expand the manufacturing plant and add jobs in a process slated to begin in January of 2006.
During his visit, Rep. Gerlach toured the Wayne facility and participated in a hands-on demonstration of clean diesel technology using two school buses supplied by The Krapf Bus Company that demonstrated the benefits of Johnson Matthey’s catalytic systems. A white handkerchief placed on the tailpipe of each bus provided visible evidence of the new technology’s ability to reduce diesel engine air pollution.
Rep. Gerlach also met with Krapf’s president Dale Krapf, and thanked him for the decision to voluntarily retrofit the company’s entire school bus fleet, one of the largest in the nation, with clean diesel technology under its “Clean School Bus” pilot program.
“Both Johnson Matthey and Krapf are active proponents of emissions control and the deployment of clean diesel technology,” Rep. Gerlach
said. “Their efforts helped deliver the data needed to push for more stringent emissions controls. Working in partnership locally, they encouraged Washington to include new emissions standards in the recently passed Energy Policy Act, and I thank them for the initiative they have shown. This kind of cooperation, where technology
developers and early-adopters can provide government with the information we need to make the right decisions benefits not only the region, but the nation as it implements new energy policy initiatives.”
Rep. Gerlach supported the revised version of the Energy Bill that passed the House on July 28 by a 275 to 156 vote. President Bush signed the legislation into law on August 8.
“While the energy legislation I voted does not complete our journey toward energy independence, it is a significant first step and will result in us using energy sources more responsibly,” Rep. Gerlach explained.
Johnson Matthey is a speciality chemical company that initially established facilities at the Wayne site in 1974. The $8.6 billion company is 188 years old and employs almost 7,500 people in 34 countries. As part of Johnson Matthey’s Catalysts Division, the world’s largest supplier of catalysts for the automotive industry, the Environmental Catalysts and Technologies Group has been providing cost-effective catalytic solutions for the worldwide light- and heavyduty diesel markets for over 30 years.
The Wayne facility currently employs 500 people and is one of the largest manufacturing entities in the 6th Congressional District.
$4.3 Million Secured for Reading
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced the release of a $4.3 million loan guarantee for a Berks County organization to use in converting a former factory into a vibrant new arts and education center in Reading.
“This is wonderful news for the city of Reading,” Rep. Jim Gerlach explained. “This is a significant investment in our community and the formation of a partnership with a great local organization that’s based on a mutual desire to see Reading and Berks County prosper and grow.”
Congressman Joe Pitts added: “This project is exactly the kind of creative planning which is going to build a bright future for Reading. This is very good news and it is going to have a strong impact on the cultural and economic future of the city. Congressman
Gerlach and I worked closely together in urging HUD to do this, and I’m delighted that our efforts were successful.”
Our City, Reading, Inc. will use the Section 108 Loan Guarantee to acquire and redevelop the former Dalloz Eyeglass factory, a 2.5-acre property situated on the corner of Washington and Second Street at the foot of the Penn Street Bridge in downtown Reading.
Built originally in 1871, the factory manufactured eyeglasses and safety equipment in some form or another through 2002. The developer will use the loan to transform the 165,000-square-foot former factory into a multi-purpose facility called the Goggle Works Arts Center. When completed, the regional arts center will contain 39,000 square feet of studio space, more than 21,000 square feet of artist work space, as well as room for offices, retail, and storage and classroom space for the Reading Area Community College. HUD estimates
the project will bring 143 new jobs into Reading
