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What is the Clean Air Funds Program?
The Clean Air Funds (CAF) Program is designed to reduce emissions from motor vehicles by supporting cleaner vehicle technologies, alternative modes of transportation, and educating the public about air pollution. The program offers incentive funding for mobile sources of air pollution that are not subject to district regulation or other state for federal air pollution laws.
What do I have to do first?
The grant application period runs from approximately mid-January to mid-March. For more information about this grant program contact Jim Antone at jantone@ysaqmd.org or (530) 757-3653 for assistance.
What is the process?
You must request an application packet or download it from the District website when available and submit the application to the District office by the posted deadline. Solano County applications must go through the Solano Transportation Authority before submission to the Solano CAF committee. Yolo County applications are reviewed by the Yolo CAF committee. The final decision on all applications is made by the Yolo-Solano AQMD Board of Directors at the June board meeting.
What is the benefit to me?
This is a good opportunity to receive a financial grant to significantly lower your cost to fund a project that will reduce air pollution. Grants can be used to replace an older diesel engine or vehicle with lower emission technology, development of alternative fuel infrastructure, develop an alternative transportation program such as bicycle, pedestrian or transit facilities, or create a public education program.
Why should I be interested?
The Sacramento Metropolitan region, which includes the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District and portions of Placer, El Dorado and Sutter counties do not meet State and Federal health-based ambient air quality standards. Participating in the Clean Air Funds program can reduce your costs for implementing projects and programs that reduce emissions from motor vehicles and help the region improve air quality.
Who can apply?
Any individual, business, public agency, or non-profit organization located in or operating within the boundaries of the District.
How much money is available?
Approximately $400,000 annually.
What happens if my project is selected for grant funding?
You will need to enter into a contract with the District. The CAF information and application package has a sample contract for applicants to review prior to submitting their applications.
Where does the money come from?
From your annual Department of Motor Vehicles registration fee of $4.00 per vehicle, and from AB 8 property tax proceeds for Solano County projects.
What criteria is used to determine which projects will be granted money?
Funding is awarded on a competitive basis. The District is interested in achieving the greatest amount of emission reductions for the money awarded, maximizing cost effectiveness. The greater the emission reductions, the better your chances of being awarded a grant. The District also looks at other factors such as:
- overall project cost
- potential for broad application of the project to other jurisdictions, agencies, and businesses
- matching funds provided by outside sources or the applicant
- regional benefits
The Calculator for cost-effectiveness of air quality projects is an interactive database. The file is in Microsoft Access MDB format and may take a few minutes to open.(8.93 MB) Save to computer after opening.
Note: Those with Office or Access 2007 need to save in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office 12\ Accwiz and then create a short cut on the desktop from where the file is saved.
Methods to Find the Cost-Effectiveness of Funding Air Quality Projects
The intent of the CAF program is for start up costs, seed money, and local matching funds for clean air projects. The program is generally not intended for yearly support of operating costs.
For more information contact jantone@ysaqmd.org or call (530) 757-3653.
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