Photo: KnozalPhoto Pictured above: April Westby, executive director for Spokane Clean Air, and Daniel Race, facilities manager for Dish Technologies Spokane.
Dish Technologies Spokane is the 2026 Clean Air Award recipient for its work to reduce harmful diesel emissions, announced the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (Spokane Clean Air) at a ceremony held last Thursday.
“Dish Technologies Spokane is leading the way to reduce toxic diesel emissions through technology investments,” said Spokane Clean Air Executive Director, April Westby. “We applaud and recognize the company’s efforts and we encourage other businesses to follow suit.”
Emergency backup generators maintain critical infrastructure during power outages, such as hospitals, municipalities, telecom, data centers, and banks. In the event of a power outage, emergency standby generators must start and accept full load power within seconds. Because diesel engine exhaust particulate is a regulated air toxic, Spokane Clean Air issues permits for them to operate within specific parameters. There are roughly 185 diesel-powered, emergency generators permitted to operate in Spokane County.
According to Daniel Race, facilities manager at Dish Technologies, the company is committed to reducing toxic diesel particulate emissions by investing in new technologies, such as engine block heaters and operating systems that regulate the operations of the generators.
Dish Technologies installed engine block heaters, made locally by HotStart Thermal Management, on all three of its back-up diesel generators.The heaters use integrated pumps that circulate warm coolant throughout the entire engine at a uniform temperature. The heaters rely on fewer heating cycles, saving up to 75% energy use while extending heater element life and reducing overall maintenance.
The company also updated the operating systems that regulate the generators. Previously, all three generators would run regardless of demand. With the new control system, the running generators will be reduced to two if demand for all three is not needed. This saves approximately 25 gallons of diesel per operating hour, resulting in a 30% total fuel savings and a 30% reduction in diesel emissions.
“In addition to the technology investments Dish has made to reduce its diesel fuel use, the company keeps thorough records of operational hours, maintenance activities, and testing results for all three generators,” added Westby.
About the Clean Air Award
Since 2005, Spokane Clean Air has selected one local company annually to recognize for its innovation, leadership, and commitment to improving air quality. We present this award publicly to salute the company’s efforts and to encourage other businesses to follow suit. More information about the award and past recipients is available here.
About Dish Technologies
Dish’s site in Spokane is operated under the parent company, Echostar Satellite Services, which also owns and operates Hughes Satellite, Boost Mobile and Sling TV. They are the local uplink site for Dish Network (Satellite Television), known locally as the Spokane Regional Uplink. They Uplink and transmit signals for all local Northwest translators and carry broadcast signals for much of the Northwest portion of the country.
