CARB calls for grant proposals to improve air quality in communities

Community organizations urged to apply for $5 million grant program to support AB 617 implementation

SACRAMENTO – Today the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced the availability of $5 million in grant funding as part of a new program to support the implementation of Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617).

Signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. last July, AB 617 establishes a new community-based framework to improve air quality and reduce exposure to toxic air pollutants in California communities most impacted by air pollution. This first of-its-kind effort involves collaborating with local residents and air districts to identify pollution sources of concern, develop solutions and track progress together.

As an initial step, the Community Air Grants Program is seeking proposals up to $500,000 from local groups. Grants are designed to help community-based organizations participate in the AB 617 process and build capacity to become active partners in identifying, evaluating and ultimately reducing exposure to harmful air emissions.

“Providing air quality support to local communities is critical as we work more closely than ever toward our common goal of ensuring that every Californian realizes equitable benefits from the state’s clean air efforts,” said Veronica Eady, CARB’s assistant executive officer for environmental justice.

Organizations are encouraged to propose projects to fit the needs of their specific communities. Funding may cover a range of activities from holding community events and community data collection to education. Applications will be accepted through April 12. Click here for more information about the grant solicitation. (https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/community-assistance-and-innovative-resource-grant-guidelines)

The Community Air Grants Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Background

In August 2017, CARB established the Office of Community Air Protection (OCAP) to oversee the Community Air Protection Program (https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/community-air-protection-program-ab617), and prioritize and expedite air quality improvements in California’s most polluted communities. The program involves targeted and coordinated efforts by CARB, local air districts and communities to help transform the state’s approach to addressing local air pollution.

During the fall and winter, CARB conducted extensive outreach throughout the state to inform the development of a draft framework for the overall program including more than 80 stakeholder, community and public meetings. As part of outreach efforts, CARB also convened the AB 617 Consultation Group, which consists of 25 members representing key groups including environmental justice groups, local air districts, academic institutions, health agencies and industry.

Earlier this month, CARB staff released a concept paper (https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/community-air-protection-program-concept-paper) outlining key elements of the draft framework:

Identifying and selecting impacted communities
Statewide strategies for reducing emissions and exposure
Criteria for community emissions reduction programs
Criteria for community air monitoring

This month CARB is inviting the public to participate in technical summits (https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/capp-technical-summit-february-2018-public-notice) in Oakland, Bakersfield and Riverside to discuss the framework in depth. Following those meetings and additional stakeholder input, CARB plans to issue a draft framework later this spring. A final framework is expected to be considered by the Board in September.

Resources

CARB is the lead agency in California for cleaning up the air and fighting climate change to attain and maintain health-based air quality standards. Its mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through the effective reduction of air and climate pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy.

CARB calls for grant proposals to improve air quality in communities

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