Clean Air Grants Emergency Generator Program

The Clean Air Grants Emergency Generator Program is administered by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, a local government agency responsible for protecting public health by regulating and improving air quality within Santa Barbara County, California. The program is part of a broader Clean Air Grants initiative funded through a combination of state and local funding streams, including the California Air Resources Board programs such as the Carl Moyer Program, Community Air Protection Program, FARMER Program, CHIRP, as well as DMV surcharge revenue and the District Clean Air Fund. The program is designed to accelerate the replacement of older, high-polluting diesel equipment with cleaner technologies earlier than would occur under normal regulatory timelines. The primary purpose of the Emergency Generator Program is to reduce harmful emissions by incentivizing the replacement or upgrade of stationary emergency diesel generators. Eligible projects include replacing older Tier 0, Tier 1, or Tier 2 diesel generators with Tier 4 Final or zero emission technologies, or installing diesel particulate filters that meet specified certification levels. The program prioritizes projects that achieve significant emission reductions, incorporate zero emission technologies, or are located in disadvantaged communities. All emission reductions funded must be surplus, meaning they exceed what is required by regulation. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, meaning recipients must first incur project costs before receiving grant reimbursement. Awards may reach up to 250000 dollars per project, although actual funding amounts vary depending on factors such as cost effectiveness, usage, and emissions reduction potential. The District retains discretion in determining final award amounts and prioritization. Funds may also support certain infrastructure components, particularly when electric generators or energy storage systems are included. Eligibility is open to public, private, and nonprofit entities, with each applicant limited to one project per program category. Applicants must demonstrate that their existing equipment is operational, permitted, and has operated entirely within Santa Barbara County for the prior 24 months. Replacement equipment must also operate entirely within the county and meet strict performance, warranty, and regulatory compliance standards. Additional eligibility requirements include proof of ownership, usage records, compliance documentation, and certification that the applicant has no outstanding regulatory violations. The application process requires submission of a complete application package, including detailed technical and operational information about both existing and proposed equipment, supporting documentation such as ownership and usage records, compliance certifications, and dealer quotes for replacement equipment. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail, or via email, and must be complete to be considered. The District conducts pre inspections for selected projects to verify accuracy and eligibility prior to awarding funds. Applications for the 2026 cycle are accepted from July 27, 2026 through September 4, 2026, and submissions outside this window are not accepted. Projects are competitively ranked based on criteria including emissions reductions, project location, and technology type. Notification timelines are not explicitly stated, but funding is distributed until available funds are exhausted. The program operates on a recurring annual basis, following state guidelines and funding cycles, and applicants are encouraged to monitor future cycles through the District subscription list. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact the District via email at grants@sbcapcd.org or by phone. The program requires strict adherence to regulatory compliance and includes ongoing reporting obligations for funded projects. Recipients must also agree to conditions such as equipment destruction of replaced units, annual reporting, and prohibition from claiming emission reduction credits from funded equipment.

Prioritize zero emission technology and maximize emission reductions; ensure all documentation is complete and accurate; confirm eligibility before submission