Clean Air Grants Agricultural Stationary Diesel Engine Repower Program

The Clean Air Grants Agricultural Stationary Diesel Engine Repower Program is administered by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, a local government agency responsible for improving air quality and protecting public health in Santa Barbara County, California. The program is part of the broader Clean Air Grants initiative and is funded through a combination of state and local funding streams, including the California Air Resources Board Carl Moyer Program, Community Air Protection Program, FARMER Program, CHIRP funding, DMV surcharge revenues, and the District Clean Air Fund. The program aligns with statewide regulatory frameworks and follows the most recent Carl Moyer and Community Air Protection Guidelines, ensuring that funded projects achieve measurable and surplus emission reductions. The primary purpose of this grant program is to reduce air pollution by incentivizing the replacement of older, high-emission stationary diesel agricultural engines with cleaner technologies, primarily electric motors. The program prioritizes projects that deliver significant emissions reductions, demonstrate strong cost effectiveness, and utilize zero emission technologies. Additional priority is given to projects located in disadvantaged communities, reflecting environmental justice goals. All emission reductions must exceed regulatory requirements and cannot be used to meet existing compliance obligations or be converted into emission credits. Funding is available for eligible projects within a grant range of 10000 to 250000 dollars, with actual award amounts determined by factors such as equipment usage, project cost effectiveness, emissions reduction potential, and overall fund availability. The District distributes funds on a reimbursement basis, meaning applicants must first incur and document project costs before receiving grant payments. Replacement equipment must be a new electric motor, although Tier 4 Final diesel replacements may be considered in limited cases. Additional funding may be available for associated infrastructure when electric systems are proposed. Eligibility is open to public, private, and nonprofit entities operating within Santa Barbara County, with strict requirements regarding the existing equipment. The engine being replaced must be a stationary diesel engine of at least 25 horsepower, equipped with a functional hour meter, and must have operated exclusively within the county for the previous 24 months. The equipment must be operational at the time of application and verified through a pre inspection process. Applicants are limited to one project per entity, and the replacement equipment must continue to operate entirely within the county. Compliance with the District Agricultural Engine Registration program is also required. The application process requires submission of a complete application along with extensive supporting documentation. Required materials include proof of equipment ownership and operation, hour meter logs, compliance certifications, equipment documentation, and dealer quotes for replacement equipment. Applications must be submitted by mail, email, or in person to the District, and applicants receive confirmation of receipt. Only complete applications are considered, and incomplete submissions are returned. Projects undergo competitive ranking based on criteria such as emissions reduction, location, and cost effectiveness, followed by a pre inspection verification process. The application window for the 2026 cycle opens on July 27, 2026 and closes on September 4, 2026. Applications submitted outside this window are not accepted. The program is recurring annually, and funding is distributed until available funds are exhausted. Selected applicants must enter into a formal grant agreement, complete the project within the specified performance period, and comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including annual usage reports. The District retains discretion over final funding decisions and may conduct audits or inspections to ensure compliance throughout the project lifecycle. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact the program via the official grants email address provided by the District.

Focus on maximizing emissions reductions and cost effectiveness; prioritize zero emission technology; ensure complete documentation to avoid disqualification