Businesses and public agencies across the Southland that are looking to reduce emissions from their vehicle fleets soon will be getting a $10.5 million incentive. Today the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) announced the release of requests for funding proposals in six categories designed to achieve mobile source emissions reductions throughout the four-county jurisdiction of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).
Public and private fleets that replace diesel-fueled heavy-duty vehicles with clean alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), or purchase AFVs instead of new diesel vehicles, can compete for up to $1 million. The grants can cover up to the full incremental cost of the AFV, which must operate exclusively on the alternative fuel. To help remove barriers associated with acquiring the fuel for AFVs, the MSRC will also pay up to half the cost, not to exceed $150,000, for fueling infrastructure installation or expansion for fleets that obtain ten or more vehicles.
Off-road heavy-duty vehicles provide one of the most cost-effective mobile source emission reduction strategies. The MSRC is offering $2.75 million to encourage new alternative fuel purchases or diesel re-powers of existing off-road equipment such as tractors and bull dozers. The MSRC can also help fund fueling infrastructure, maintenance facility modifications and mechanic training to support the qualifying vehicles.
Agencies and companies obtaining alternative fuel and advanced technology transit buses at least 30 feet long can receive grants to cover the full incremental cost of a new bus. A total of $1 million is set aside for new transit bus acquisitions.
Existing compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) refueling stations throughout the area can compete for $1.25 million available for upgrades and expansion. Upgrades can include modernization of equipment and/or expanded capacity.
Cleaning up the existing diesel vehicle fleet is the goal of the Diesel Exhaust After-Treatment Retrofit Program, also announced today. A million dollars is available to fleets that install either qualifying diesel particulate filters or after-treatment devices verified to reduce both diesel particulate and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The MSRC will cover the full cost of the after-treatment up to $8,500 per vehicle ($18,000 for particulate + NOx devices).
Cities and counties within the SCAQMD can apply to the MSRC for matching funds for projects that also use local city or county money. The MSRC is allocating $3.5 million to co-fund local projects to build or expand alternative fueling infrastructure, purchase medium- and heavy-duty alternative-fuel vehicles, purchase and install videoconferencing equipment and implement multi-jurisdictional traffic signal coordination and synchronization.
Funding for both the diesel retrofit program and the local match program will be made available on a first-come, first served basis during a one-month period, beginning Sept. 24 and ending Oct. 26, or when funds are fully allocated.
Potential applicants with questions can participate in bidders conferences for each of the funding categories. For more information on the bidders conferences and copies of the RFPs, log on to http://cleantransportationfunding.org. For additional information on the RFPs, call the MSRC at (909) 396-2479.