Eligibility and Scope Kern County Air Pollution Mitigation Fund

Applicants may ask for grants of any size up to a maximum of $200,000. Projects involving infrastructure, equipment, or incentive programs may require matching funds.

In addition to proposals from school districts, governmental agencies and larger non-profits, we also encourage proposals from small grassroots organizations for community-oriented projects. However, smaller organizations should generally not submit proposals that exceed 25% of their previous year’s actual income/expense.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit, public school, or government agency. Organizations that are not recognized as 501(c)(3) by the IRS must have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
• The project must be located or benefit the Valley portion of Kern County and can relate to either (1) reductions of either state or federal non-attainment pollutants (i.e. particulates, particulate precursors, or ozone precursors (NOX or ROG) OR (2) reductions of Greenhouse Gas emissions.
• Grant funds may not be used to engage in, nor to support, litigation.
• Grant funds may be not used to defray mandated regulatory compliance measures. However, funds may be used to go beyond mandated compliance.
• Preference will be extended towards projects with significant public health benefits, evidence of community involvement, and pollution reduction benefits to disadvantaged communities.

 

Scope of Allowable Projects

Proposed projects must relate to improving air quality in the Valley portion of Kern County. Projects must be designed to directly reduce air pollution emissions, or to change policies and/or institutional or individual behaviors in ways that will lead to reductions in air pollution emissions.

Examples of allowable projects include, but are not limited to:

• Planning: Clean air infrastructure planning and/or community education and outreach designed to encourage public participation in clean air-related planning and implementation. Focus areas may include, but are not limited to:
  • Public participation and/or advocacy related to the development of Sustainable Communities Strategies Plans, the Kern County General Plan, municipal general plans or similar processes, especially related to the following goals:
    • Attainment of clean air-related objectives articulated in these plans.
    • Increasing walkability, infill development, public transportation and active transportation.
  • Other land use and transportation planning activities that directly relate to reducing local sources of air pollution, or to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

• Education: Educational and outreach programs promoting awareness of air pollution sources and public health threats related to air pollution, and advocating solutions to these problems. As part of the educational message, such projects should promote specific proposed changes in governmental policies and/or institutional or individual behaviors that would lead to tangible community benefits in relation to reduced air pollution or mitigation of air pollution. Focus areas may include, but are not limited to:
  • Promoting bicycle infrastructure including bike route planning, safe cycling education, safe routes to schools, and bicycle access including bike share.
  • Reducing emissions from oil drilling, processing or transportation.
  • Promoting or implementing composting programs.
  • Decreasing fossil-fueled private automobile use.

 

• Infrastructure: Constructing infrastructure or physical projects such as bicycle lanes or bridges, bicycle rack or lockers, or other projects designed to help make non-polluting means of public mobility more viable. (SEE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS)

 

• Incentives: Programs designed to incentivize clean air solutions through payments to consumers or businesses such as electric car charging stations. Preference will be extended towards incentives that promote long-term solutions, such as solar-powered charging stations, and projects must be designed to go beyond currently-available incentive programs and/or reach community members who are not able to qualify for current incentive programs. (SEE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS).

 

• Equipment, Vehicles: Equipment related to solar power generation, electric vehicle charging, or electric vehicle purchase replacement programs that are designed to go beyond applicable compliance requirements (SEE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS).

 

• Commercial and Residential Energy Efficiency: Programs designed to reduce greenhouse gas emission reductions through retrofits of other improvements which increase energy efficiency, including building decarbonization.

 

Special Requirements for Incentives, Vehicles, Infrastructure and Equipment

All incentive programs, vehicle or equipment purchase projects, or infrastructure construction projects such as bicycle lanes or electric vehicle charging stations must include a written commitment evidencing matching funds, and a 5-year estimate of anticipated emissions reductions that would result from a successful implementation of the project. Additionally, vehicle or equipment purchase projects must involve CARB-certified equipment or engines.

Matching Funds:

All incentive programs, vehicle or equipment purchase projects, or infrastructure construction projects seeking a total of $75,000 or less must provide a 1:1 match. Projects seeking a total between $75,000 – $200,000 must evidence a 2:1 match.

5 Year Estimate of Emissions Reductions

All incentive programs, vehicle or equipment purchase projects, or infrastructure construction projects must provide a 5-year quantified estimate of pollution reductions that would occur following the successful implementation of the project.

Vehicles or Equipment:

Any on-road or off-road vehicle projects, or any other equipment purchases, must be designed to purchase all-electric or other type of CARB-certified zero emissions equipment or vehicles. Vehicle motors must be all electric – hybrid, gas, or diesel engines are not eligible. All motorized vehicular and equipment projects must complete a supplementary application schedule detailing the specific equipment or vehicles to be replaced/purchased, provide documentation of appropriate levels of CARB certification for the new vehicles or equipment, and proof of scrapping of any replaced engines or equipment. Any vehicles or equipment scrapped must be in current regular service in Kern County and

provide documentation of current service, including DMV registration if applicable. At the Rose Foundation’s discretion, equipment or vehicle purchase projects may be required to produce a certificate specifically naming the Rose Foundation as an additional insured.

Air Pollution Credits

Any air pollution credits generated in relation to the project shall become the property of the Rose Foundation, and the Rose Foundation shall permanently retire the credits.

Pre-Proposals

Proponents of vehicle or equipment projects are strongly advised to submit a written pre-proposal statement of 5 pages or less describing their project and describing why the proposed projects exceeds all current or pending compliance requirements. This pre-proposal should be submitted at least 3 weeks before the application deadline in order to allow adequate response time. And, although pre-proposals are not required, any applicant who desires constructive engagement in shaping their proposals is welcome to submit a pre-proposal.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jodene Isaacs, Mitigation Funds Director

jisaacs@rosefdn.org

(510) 658-0702