A new funding opportunity is now available under South Coast AQMD’s WAIRE Mitigation Program to support zero emission (ZE) trucks and the electric charging or hydrogen fueling infrastructure needed to support them.
The WAIRE Mitigation Program is offering approximately $73 million for emissions reductions at warehousing activities throughout the South Coast Air Basin, using mitigation fees collected under South Coast AQMD Rule 2305. The funding is intended to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions from warehouse-related activities and benefit surrounding communities. Projects will be prioritized in communities where warehouse mitigation fees were collected, helping reduce emissions in areas most affected by warehouse-related pollution. Funding is available for ZE Class 4-8 trucks, electric-charging infrastructure and hydrogen-fueling infrastructure.
Eligible applicants include warehouse and fleet operators, as well as operators of truck charging and fueling infrastructure serving warehousing activities. Incentive funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants who meet all program criteria. The Grant Management System (gms.aqmd.gov) opened on September 22 for applicants to begin drafting applications. Applications may be submitted beginning October 13 at noon, with a deadline of December 15 at noon.
The WAIRE Program was established under South Coast AQMD’s Warehouse Indirect Source Rule, which applies to approximately 4,000 warehouses across the region. Warehouse operators have several options for meeting WAIRE requirements, including paying mitigation fees in lieu of completing specific actions. Less than five percent of WAIRE compliance is through payment of mitigation fees, which are then all used for the WAIRE Mitigation Program.
Warehouses are major destinations for heavy-duty trucks and other emissions sources, such as cargo handling equipment. Emissions associated with warehouses produce as much smog-forming NOx as all refineries, power plants and other stationary sources in the South Coast Air Basin combined.
For more information, including how to apply, visit aqmd.gov/WAIRE.