The South Coast Air Quality Management District will offer more than $11 million from a state incentive program this year to help Southland businesses and public agencies reduce emissions from their heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment.
The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program aims to speed up the introduction of low-emission heavy-duty engines in trucks, buses, ships, locomotives and off-road vehicles such as construction equipment. It is named after the late Carl Moyer, Ph.D., a key figure in developing state air quality policy.
Funding will typically cover the cost difference between a new heavy-duty diesel engine and an alternative, clean fuel or lower-emission model. Regulations phased in between 2001 and 2010 will require cleaner engines, but heavy-duty equipment lasts so long that a complete turnover of this equipment in Southern California will take decades.
Why focus on heavy-duty engines?
Heavy-duty engines typically burn diesel fuel and are responsible for a disproportionate amount of the region’s smog. Statewide, heavy-duty trucks and buses account for only 2% of all on-road vehicles but emit about 25% of the nitrogen oxides and 70% of particulates. Across California, more than 1.2 million diesel trucks and engines used in construction and agriculture contribute about 40% of all nitrogen oxides from mobile sources.
Nitrogen oxides, sometimes visible as a reddish-brown smear on the horizon, combine with hydrocarbons to form ozone. Ozone, one of the region’s chief pollutants, exacerbates asthma and is linked to increased risk of lung diseases. Particulates from diesel soot diminish visibility and are linked to increased hospital admissions and illness. The California Air Resources Board has determined that diesel particulate is a cancer-causing toxic air contaminant.
What kinds of equipment are eligible?
What kinds of equipment will be funded?
Alternative fueled engines such as those using compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane and electricity will be given the highest priority. Cleaner diesel engines may be considered in some cases. Program funds can be used to help purchase new vehicles, new engines or retrofits to existing engines.
In general, new vehicles and engines must achieve a 30% reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions compared to current emission standards, and retrofits must achieve a 25% reduction.
How much money is available for each project?
The state plans to allocate a total of $11.3 million to the South Coast AQMD for the Carl Moyer Project. This includes the most populated portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and all of Orange County. Funds are available to cover the difference in cost between a conventional diesel engine and an alternative fuel engine, up to a maximum of $12,000 per ton of nitrogen oxides reduced per year.
When will the program begin?
The California Air Resources Board is expected to award funds to AQMD and other air districts by June 30, 1999 for the next two fiscal years. AQMD expects to release a request for proposals in March 1999 to solicit specific project applications.
Where can I get further information?
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