Diamond Bar – In an effort to clean up pollution from heavy-duty vehicles, provide clean fueling facilities, and encourage ridesharing, the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) is seeking $14.9 million worth of projects to fund. The MSRC is a government group responsible for funding transportation-related clean air projects that reduce air pollution in Southern California.
Each year, the MSRC funds projects in specific categories aimed at reducing emissions from mobile sources such as cars, trucks and buses which account for almost two-thirds of the emissions going into the air in Southern California. .
This year’s categories eligible for funding include clean heavy-duty vehicles, alternative fuel transit buses, construction of alternative fueling stations, as well as a regional vanpool program, “Rideshare Thursday” public awareness campaign and expanded Freeway Service Patrol. In addition, several other projects are slated for funding including incentives for the purchase of compressed natural gas school buses; replacement of diesel trucks servicing the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and a light-duty vehicle repair assistance program in conjunction with the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
Funding will also be available for a local government match program for the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles, and for assistance to the Coachella Valley for a variety of measures to reduce particulates.
“This is a balanced approach with funding available for clean vehicles and the necessary fueling facilities, as well as the continuation of efforts to boost ridesharing and carpooling,” said MSRC Chairman and Palm Springs Mayor William G. Kleindienst. “We’re directing assistance toward clean vehicles and places to fuel them. There’s also a need to continue working on changing the solo driving habits of commuters.”
This year’s eligible categories include: * Heavy Duty Vehicles $2 million is available for co-funding of new alternative fuel on-and-off road vehicles, infrastructure, training and facility modifications.
* Alternative Fuel Transit Buses and Infrastructure $2 million is available to help purchase low-emission, full-size alternative fuel buses. Funds are restricted to vehicles meeting the state optional standards for nitrogen oxides. Funds are also available for refueling infrastructure, maintenance facility modifications, and specialized fleet mechanic training.
* Alternative Fuel Infrastructure $1.25 million in co-funding is available for capital costs of construction of new, publicly accessible alternative refueling stations in the South Coast Basin. Limited to established fuel providers.
Transportation Control Measures:
* “Rideshare Thursday” Outreach – MSRC is requesting proposals for a one-year “Rideshare Thursday” public awareness campaign that promotes the use of transportation alternatives, such as carpooling and vanpooling with a funding level of $800,000.
* Regional Vanpool Program – Funding in the amount of $450,000 is available for the development, marketing and implementation of a regional vanpool program incentive program to promote the formation of vanpools and/or increase participation in existing vanpools.
* Expanded Freeway Service Patrol – A total of $1.5 million will be allotted to a program for new or expanded freeway service patrols that remove disabled vehicles from congested freeways.
The upcoming MSRC work program will also include these elements:
* Coachella Valley PM Program ($1 million) – A local government match program will be implemented to help fund a variety of particulate reduction measures such as street sweepers, wind fences and blowsand removal equipment.
* Local Government Subvention Match ($2.45 million) – Matching funds for local governments will be continued to help offset the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure.
* Light Duty Vehicle Repair Assistance ($500,000) – The Bureau of Automotive Repair is offering free vehicle testing and repair to low-income drivers. The MSRC will provide a funding match.
* Diesel Truck Replacement ($1 million) – To replace diesel trucks that service the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles
* Incentives for CNG School Buses ($2 million) – The MSRC will continue its buydown incentive for compressed natural gas school buses purchased through pre-qualified vendors.
To apply for funding, applicants much follow the Request for Proposals (RFP or Request for Qualification (RFQ) process. Applicants may apply in more than one category, but must submit a separate proposal for each. For more information about the MSRC’s upcoming work program, visit the MSRC website at http://cleantransportationfunding.org or call (909) 396-2777.