At its January 24th meeting, the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Board approved $728,327 to help local businesses and residents clean up: old tractors, agricultural irrigation engines, commercial marine vessels, construction equipment, heavy-duty trucks and light duty cars and pick-ups. The APCD is currently seeking project applications. Funding for these emission reduction projects comes from state allocated Carl Moyer Grant funds and locally generated DMV registration funds (AB 923).

Specific funding is available for the following eligible emission reduction project categories within SLO County:

  • $240,000 for fleet modernization of on-road heavy-duty trucks for the first six months of the program;
  • $198,327 for off-road construction equipment, agricultural tractor replacements, repower of agricultural irrigation and marine engines;
  • $125,000 to continue the old-car buy-back program; and,
  • Additionally, $165,000 was made available to replace a public school bus in San Luis Obispo County, this program will solicit applications later this

Application forms and more information can be found online at http://www.slocleanair.org/community/grants or call (805) 781-5912.

Grant funds for heavy-duty replacement projects will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualifying projects based on the dates when APCD deems the submitted applications to be complete. Car scrap projects are managed by a third party; call 1-800-717-7624 for more information.

Since 1997, the APCD has expended $21.1 million dollars in SLO County emission reduction grant programs resulting in over 2,882 tons of ozone precursor and toxic diesel emission reductions. The emission reduction projects funded with the above listed program revenues will infuse dollars into local communities and create work that enhances the local economy. In addition, funds will assist applicants in specific funding categories to meet early emission reduction requirements and help provide cleaner air for all to enjoy.