Title
El Dorado County Air Quality Management District (AQMD) recommending the Board, acting as the Board of Directors of the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 038-2026:
1) Approving AQMD's participation in the Climate Heat Impact Response Program (CHIRP) grant program;
2) Ratifying the Air Pollution Control Officer's (APCO) signature on the CHIRP FY2025-2026 application;
3) Authorizing the APCO to execute the FY2025-2026 grant agreement between the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for CHIRP through February 10, 2027;
4) Authorize the APCO to execute any future grant funding agreements with qualified applicants, subject to approval by County Counsel and Risk Management for the; and
5) Authorizing the implementation and expending the CHIRP funds in accordance with the FY2025-2026 grant agreement between the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and CARB requirements for the CHIRP grant program.
FUNDING: CHIRP Grant Funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The purpose of the Climate Heat Impact Response Program (CHIRP) incentives is to mitigate the emissions caused by the use of backup generators and other power sources that are allowed to operate beyond their permitted or regulated limits during extreme heat events, such as a heatwave. To increase power supply and reduce demand on the electrical grid to avoid power outages, the Governor issued a proclamation of a state of emergency that allows for increased emissions. The CHIRP incentive program was established to fund mitigation projects that offset the increased emissions allowed by the proclamation. The CHIRP FY2025-2026 El Dorado County tentative allotment is $158,169, but the actual final allocation may be higher if other air districts do not accept their allotment; future years’ allotments are to be determined.
The application for FY2025-2026 was required to be executed by AQMD's APCO and submitted to CARB by January 16, 2026, in order to participate in the funding program, the Board's ratification of this signature is requested as part of this item.
To maintain transparency of CHIRP grant expenditures, AQMD will add CHIRP grant awards to the list of awarded grants on the AQMD website.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to adopt the resolution or direct staff to make other changes. If the resolution is not approved, this would change AQMD’s current ability to fund projects that mitigate emissions in the County, offsetting increased emissions allowed during climate-driven power outages.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No General Fund impact - The program will fund financial incentives for projects that reduce emissions from internal combustion engines used to generate electricity during climate-driven outages. Up to fifteen percent (15%) of the annual allotments can be used to fund the cost of program administration.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk to provide AQMD with a copy of the signed Resolution and a copy of the minute order.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Safe & Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Rania Serieh, Air Pollution Control Officer