Clean Air Grants Locomotive Program

The Clean Air Grants Locomotive Program is administered by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District as part of its broader Clean Air Grants Program. The District operates as a local government agency responsible for improving air quality and protecting public health within Santa Barbara County. Funding for this program is derived from multiple sources including the California Air Resources Board Carl Moyer Program, Community Air Protection Program, FARMER Program, Climate Heat Impact Response Program, DMV surcharge revenue, and the District Clean Air Fund. These funding streams collectively support the early replacement of high-polluting equipment with cleaner alternatives beyond what is required by regulation, thereby accelerating emission reductions and improving regional air quality outcomes. The primary purpose of the locomotive grant program is to incentivize the replacement of older, higher-emission locomotives with newer, cleaner technologies, including Tier 4 Final diesel engines or zero-emission alternatives. The program emphasizes projects that deliver measurable emission reductions and cost effectiveness. Priority is given to projects deploying zero-emission technologies, projects located within disadvantaged communities, and those that demonstrate strong emission reduction performance. All emission reductions must be surplus, meaning they are not required by any existing federal, state, or local regulations or legal mandates. Grant funding is available on a reimbursement basis, meaning applicants must first incur and pay for project costs before receiving grant funds. Awards typically range from 10000 to 250000 dollars, though higher amounts may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the District Board of Directors. The actual funding amount is determined based on factors such as equipment usage, emission reduction potential, cost effectiveness, and overall availability of funds. Funds cannot be used for administrative costs, and projects must meet cost effectiveness thresholds established in the most recent Carl Moyer Program Guidelines. Eligible applicants include public, private, and nonprofit entities, with each entity limited to submitting one locomotive project application per program cycle. Projects must involve the replacement of an existing operational locomotive that has been used exclusively within Santa Barbara County for the prior 24 months. The existing locomotive must be destroyed in accordance with program requirements, including rendering the engine permanently inoperable. Replacement equipment must also operate within the county and meet stringent emissions standards. Additional requirements include documentation of ownership, usage records, compliance certifications, and proof that the applicant has authority to enter into a grant agreement. The application process requires submission of a complete application along with supporting documentation either in person, by mail, or via email. Applications are reviewed for completeness before being competitively ranked based on criteria such as emission reductions, project location, technology type, and cost effectiveness. Selected projects undergo a pre inspection to verify the accuracy of submitted information and confirm equipment operability. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding, and incomplete applications are returned without consideration. Applicants receive confirmation of submission within 24 hours, and must follow up if confirmation is not received within 72 hours. The program operates within a defined annual application window, opening on July 27, 2026 and closing on September 4, 2026. Applications submitted outside this period are not accepted. After review and ranking, funding is awarded until available funds are exhausted, at which point remaining applicants are notified. Funded projects are subject to ongoing reporting requirements, including annual usage reports for the life of the project, and may be subject to audits and compliance monitoring. The program is expected to recur annually as part of the District ongoing Clean Air Grants Program.

Prioritize projects with strong emission reductions cost effectiveness and zero emission technology and ensure all documentation is complete to avoid rejection