Clean Air Grant Program

The Clean Air Grant Program is administered by the Placer County Air Pollution Control District in California and is designed to reduce emissions from heavy-duty engines and equipment. The program provides financial assistance to both private companies and public agencies to accelerate the adoption of cleaner technologies that go beyond regulatory requirements. It supports projects that either replace, repower, or retrofit existing diesel-powered engines and equipment, as well as projects that build infrastructure to enable zero-emission and near-zero-emission technologies. A portion of the funding is specifically reserved for projects that are located within or provide benefits to low-income communities, aligning with broader environmental justice goals. The program focuses on a wide range of eligible project types across both on-road and off-road sectors. Eligible activities include upgrading construction and agricultural equipment, forklifts, locomotives, and stationary agricultural machinery. On-road vehicle categories include emergency vehicles, school buses, public utility fleets, solid waste collection vehicles, and transit vehicles. In addition, infrastructure projects are eligible if they support the operation of covered sources, including battery electric charging stations, hydrogen fueling stations, and electrification of agricultural pumps. These infrastructure investments are intended to facilitate long-term transitions to cleaner transportation and operational systems. Funding provided through the program can be used for the acquisition and installation of new equipment or systems that significantly reduce emissions. However, the program imposes eligibility restrictions to ensure funds are used for early or voluntary compliance. Heavy-duty diesel vehicles that are already required to meet regulatory compliance within two years and off-road diesel equipment with compliance deadlines within four years are not eligible. This ensures that funds are directed toward proactive emissions reductions rather than mandatory upgrades. The Clean Air Grant Program is supported through a combination of federal, state, and local funding sources. A significant portion of funding originates from the California Air Resources Board through programs such as the Carl Moyer Program and the Community Air Protection Incentives Program. The District evaluates applications using guidelines established under these programs, ensuring that projects are cost-effective and deliver measurable emissions reductions. Projects are ranked and prioritized based on these criteria, and those not immediately funded due to limited resources may be placed on a waitlist for future consideration. Applications must be submitted through the Placer County Air Pollution Control District’s designated online application portal. Submissions via email, mail, or other formats are not accepted. Applicants must select the appropriate project category and complete the required online forms. The application period for the current solicitation cycle runs from April 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026, across multiple project categories including infrastructure, heavy-duty vehicles, off-road equipment, and zero-emission utility terrain vehicles. Following the close of the solicitation period, the District evaluates applications within approximately 45 days. Applicants receive notification regarding their award status after this review period. If funds remain after the initial solicitation, the District may reopen funding through a first-come, first-served process or conduct additional competitive solicitations. This flexible approach allows the program to continuously allocate funds to high-quality projects as additional funding becomes available. The program is expected to continue recurring as new funding cycles are secured and administered by the District.