The Environmental Protection Agency and the Central States Air Resources Agencies have formed the Blue Skyways Collaborative, which includes federal, state and local governments, nonprofit groups, and members of industry.

Participating states include Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Private partners from Canada and Mexico also are participating.

The EPA plans to commit $9 million to finance collaborate projects beginning this year. The projects will prevent an estimated 2,300 tons of diesel soot from polluting the air in the central states by adding clean diesel technology to 10,000 diesel engines in the region, according to the EPA.

"The partnerships formed through this collaborative will enable us to leverage resources to reduce diesel emissions," said Jim Gulliford, EPA Region 7 administrator. "We will be able to share technology and pool finances for greater reductions than are possible through individual efforts."

The collaborative hopes to reduce incidences of lung cancer, lung disease, allergic reactions and asthma attacks associated with exposure to diesel soot.

In addition, it hopes to leverage additional money to encourage development of renewable energy and energy conservation and efficiency projects.