A grocer has become the first company in the San Antonio area, Texas, to receive a clean-air grant from the Texas Railroad Commission's forklift program (Forkliftaction.com News #208).

The San Antonio Business Journal reported HE Butt Grocery Co (HEB) received a USD39,530 grant to buy five new, low-emission forklifts as part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan.

Texas Railroad commissioner Elizabeth Jones said HEB's new forklifts would lower smog-forming nitrogen oxide emissions in San Antonio by 7.9 tons (7,166kg) over their lifespan.

"That is equivalent to taking more than 370 passenger cars off San Antonio streets and highways," Jones said.

State officials estimate that retiring 15 per cent of older forklifts could lower Texas's nitrogen oxide emissions by 7,000 tons (6,350 tonnes) to 12,000 tons (10,886 tonnes).That is equivalent to removing 275,000 to 470,000 cars from the roads.