Title
El Dorado County Air Quality Management District recommending the Board, acting as the Board of Directors of the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 068-2024 authorizing the acceptance of annual funding from the California Air Resources Board to implement the Community Air Protection (CAP) Program; and
2) Authorize the Air Pollution Control Officer to execute and submit all documents necessary for the administration of the CAP program in El Dorado County through December 31, 2029. The tentative allotments of the Community Air Protection Program for El Dorado County are: Year 5 is $135,151, Year 6 is $136,096, and Year 7 is $132,694; future years are to be determined.
FUNDING: Community Air Protection state grant program funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Assembly Bill (AB) 617 (Chapter 136, Statutes of 2017) directed the California Air Resources Board (CARB), in conjunction with local air quality management districts and air pollution control districts (air districts) to establish the Community Air Protection Program. AB 617 provides a community-focused action framework to improve air quality and reduce exposure to criteria air pollutants and toxic air contaminants (TACs) in the communities most impacted by air pollution. AB 617 calls for CARB and the air districts to actively engage with members of heavily impacted communities, follow their guidance, and address local sources of concern. AB 617 includes a variety of strategies to address air quality issues in impacted communities, including community-level monitoring, uniform emission reporting across the State, stronger regulation of pollution sources, and incentives for both mobile and stationary sources.
To support the AB 617 effort, the California Legislature (Legislature) has appropriated incentive funding to support early actions to address localized air pollution in the most impacted communities. Between fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19, the state budget has appropriated CARB a total of $495 million of California Climate Investments funding for Community Air Protection (CAP) incentives to be administered by air districts in partnership with local communities. The Legislature appropriated $250 million in the Budget Act of 2017, as amended by AB 134 (Chapter 14, Statutes of 2017), and an additional $245 million in the Budget Act of 2018, as amended by Senate Bill (SB) 856 (Chapter 30, Statutes of 2018). This funding emphasizes cleaner vehicles and equipment with priority on community guided zero-emission projects.
The Legislature directed that air districts spend the funds appropriated in AB 134 on mobile source projects pursuant to the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Moyer Program) and the Proposition 1B Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program (Proposition 1B Program). The Legislature expanded the scope of the CAP incentives appropriated in SB 856 to include additional project types. The project types called for in SB 856 include:
• Mobile source projects. Eligibility continues through either the Moyer Program or the Proposition 1B Program, with a focus on zero-emission equipment.
• Zero-emission charging infrastructure projects. Eligibility continues with a focus on medium- and heavy-duty vehicle infrastructure.
• Stationary source projects. New eligibility for the replacement of equipment at locations of stationary sources of air pollution not subject to the Cap-and-Trade Program, which will result in direct reductions of TACs or criteria air pollutants.
• Community-identified projects. New eligibility for programs developed by an air district consistent with the actions identified in the applicable Community Emissions Reduction Program pursuant to AB 617, provided there is community input through a public process.
The Air Quality Management District (AQMD) currently allocates CAP funds for woodstove replacement project incentives, targeting low-income households and those in low-income communities outside of the Sacramento Air Basin, as part of a CARB-approved community-identified project. Furthermore, AQMD is in the process of reviewing a zero-emission charging infrastructure project for the Black Oak Mine Union School District. Approval and contracting for this project are expected to be finalized shortly.
To maintain transparency of CAP fund expenditures, as with all other grant programs, AQMD publishes a list of all awarded CAP grants on its website.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to authorize the resolution, requiring AQMD to bring each annual application, grant agreement with CARB, and disbursement request to the Board, in addition to each funding agreement for eligible grant awards and any amendments to such agreements. This would create inefficiencies and increased use of limited CAP administrative funds.
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 and grants for CAP program eligible projects. Allotments to administering air districts are provided on an annual basis. The CAP Year 5 El Dorado County allotment is $135,151.18, Year 6 is $136,096.30, and Year 7 is $132,694. Up to twelve and a half percent (12.5%) of the annual allotments can be used to fund the cost of program administration. Revenue from the Year 5 cycle will be requisitioned after approval of this item, and Year 6 and 7 are expected to be requisitioned and received after the current fiscal year is completed; therefore revenues and expenditures associated with the program will be budgeted in the FY 24/25 budget and/or in future years.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk to provide AQMD with a signed copy of the Resolution and a copy of the minute order.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Safe and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Rania Serieh, Interim Air Pollution Control Officer