Proposed Updates to the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program Guidelines: Updates to Cost Effectiveness

The Carl Moyer Program is a statewide, locally-directed program that replaces older, high‑polluting engines with cleaner-than-required alternatives. Emission reductions funded through the Carl Moyer Program must be in support of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) by being permanent, surplus, quantifiable, and enforceable. Health and Safety Code (HSC) 44283 requires all eligible Carl Moyer Program projects (except infrastructure) be cost‑effective, by paying a maximum dollar amount per weighted ton of pollution reduced. CARB is responsible for establishing, updating, and adopting guidelines for the Program and propose revisions as necessary to improve the program’s ability to achieve the maximum amount of emission reductions feasible.

Staff are proposing to adjust off‑road zero-emission cost-effectiveness thresholds to match the on‑road optional zero-emission limit threshold and adjust the limits to account for changes due to inflation. These proposed changes are to ensure the program continues to focus on incentivizing and deploying the most advanced zero-emission technologies. Table 1 summarizes the current and proposed cost effectiveness limits for the Carl Moyer Program.

The public comment period will begin September 30, 2022. Today initiates the start of the 45-day public comment period before final adoption. Comments must be submitted, and received no later than November 14, 2022.

Table 1: Current and Proposed Cost-Effectiveness Limits

Cost-Effectiveness (CE) Limit Types

Current CE Limits ($/ton)

Proposed CE Limits ($/ton)

Base Limit

$33,000

$34,000*

Off-Road Optional Zero-Emission Limit

$109,000

$522,000

On-Road Optional Advanced Technology Limit – 0.02 g/bhp-hr or cleaner

$200,000

$209,000*

On-Road Optional Zero-Emission Limit

$500,000

$522,000*

School Bus (combustion)

$300,000

$313,000*

*adjusted for inflation

Public Meeting Notice and Materials