Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is now accepting applications for a new voluntary incentive program designed to help airport operators achieve compliance with LAWA's environmental policies and further improve the air quality surrounding Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The Zero & Near-Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle Incentive Program is for businesses operating at LAX looking to replace older, heavy-duty diesel-burning vehicles with new ones that emit very few or zero pollutants. The program, which will distribute up to $500,000 in grants of no more than $15,000 per vehicle, will help LAWA and airport businesses meet a shared strategic goal of reducing emissions.
"When it comes to addressing the challenges of climate change and cleaner air, all of our airport partners can play a role in reducing our carbon footprint and operating in a more sustainable manner," said Samantha Bricker, Deputy Executive Director for the Environmental Programs Group at LAWA. "Our Zero and Near-Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle Incentive Program provides funding that will allow our airport partners to purchase cleaner vehicles that operate at LAX, benefiting our airport, our local community and our region."
The Zero and Near-Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle Incentive Program is for airport contractors, licensees, or lessees that own and operate qualifying heavy-duty vehicles at LAX. Selected business owners will use the grants to cover the price difference between an older, diesel-burning vehicle and a newer, cleaner zero or near zero emission vehicle.
Program funds can be applied to qualifying vehicles that meet the following criteria: new vehicles must meet California Department of Motor Vehicle requirements for use on public roadways; have a gross vehicle weight of 14,001 pounds or greater; and be certified by the California Air Resources Board as having either zero tailpipe emissions or a heavy-duty engine meeting an Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) emission standard of 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour or lower. This NOx emission standard is 90 percent lower than the standard currently used by the Environmental Protection Agency.
After purchase of a cleaner vehicle, the applicant must complete the older vehicle's replacement either by rendering it inoperable and to be sold as scrap, or by relocating it to an owner/operator facility outside of the State of California. Funds from the program are to be applied exclusively towards the purchase price of the new vehicle.
LAWA has allocated $500,000 to the program, which is funded through LAWA's general fund. No single applicant can receive more than $100,000, with no more than $15,000 allocated per vehicle. Applicants are also encouraged to take advantage of other incentive programs offered by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) Program.
Interested parties are welcome to attend an applicant workshop held on Thursday:
Date: Thursday, February 7, 2019
Time: 9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
Location: Clifton A. Moore Administration Building Samuel Greenberg Board Room 1 World Way West, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Parking: Parking is available at Parking Structure (P1). Please allow for 15-30 minutes for parking and walking. Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28. Late applications will not be considered.
The Zero and Near-Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle Incentive Program is the latest step in LAWA's plan to ensure airport-wide compliance with its LAX Alternative Fuel Vehicle Requirement, which was recently updated to include a variety of proven and emerging technologies. For more information about this program, visit the LAX Alternative Fuel Vehicle Requirement Website, or email Amylou Canonizado at [email protected].
LAX has been named a carbon-accredited airport by the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA). The Airport Carbon Accreditation program (ACA) is a voluntary program that allows airports to have their efforts to quantify and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions independently verified by ACI-Europe. In 2018, LAWA was recognized by the South Coast Air Quality Management District as a Business Leader in Air Quality for its efforts to improve air quality, reduce GHG emissions, and build healthy communities, while also contributing to the region’s economy.
