The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced today that its Air Quality Program is seeking applications for the funding of fleet electrification, tree canopy expansion, equipment electrification, and climate resiliency/adaptation projects with $5 million in total allocated for the initiatives.
Data collected and analyzed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection shows that vehicle PM2.5 emissions contribute approximately 25 percent of all air pollution in Allegheny County. Projects for 2024 are aimed at reducing this pollution and building resiliency against the effects of climate change.
This year, municipalities, Council of Governments, special districts, and others across the county - with preference given to environmental justice communities, especially those in the Mon Valley - are eligible to apply for fleet electrification projects.
The projects must replace diesel fueled vehicles with zero-emission equivalents, and/or acquire the necessary infrastructure to support a zero-emission fleet. The maximum award for an individual fleet electrification grant is $800,000. It is anticipated that multiple projects will be accepted.
Funding will also be used for projects that will obtain, plant, and maintain the tree population throughout Allegheny County. Proposed projects must prioritize areas with lower percentage of tree canopy. Applicants, which may include both municipalities and community organizations, must provide both an in-depth cost-benefit analysis of adding trees and a specific maintenance plan for sustaining the project for a minimum of five years.
Projects must be located on public land, located near pollution sources or in pollution corridors, and utilize tree species that are drought tolerant and provide maximum pollution reduction.
Multiple projects are anticipated to be selected, each with a maximum award of $50,000.
Two new projects are being introduced this year: Electrification of Municipal Equipment and Climate Resiliency/Climate Adaptation.
The electrification of municipal equipment is open to municipal governments, Councils of Government, special districts and others. Funding is for replacement of diesel or gasoline fueled equipment such as lawn mowers and weed whackers. Projects must be between $10,000 to $75,000 each. Up to six grants will be awarded.
The climate resiliency/climate adaptation projects are open to nonprofit organizations, local governments, Council of Governments, and academic institutions in Allegheny County. These grants are for designing and constructing/installing projects that both offset the effects of climate related impacts and to improve air quality. Priority will be given to environmental justice areas and municipalities in the Mon Valley. Up to two grants will be awarded, each at up to $1 million.
Municipalities and community organizations interested in learning more about these two grant opportunities can find more information, as well as application materials on the Health Department's Clean Air Fund webpage.
The Allegheny County's Clean Air Fund, in part, supports activities and projects that:
Improve air quality by reducing, eliminating or preventing air pollution
Broaden understanding of air quality effects through health studies
Educate the public on issues concerning air pollution
Provide special purpose ambient air monitoring
Complete any other project consistent with the provisions of Article XXI and the mission of the Board of Health
The funding will come from the Clean Air Fund, which is funded through penalties collected from air pollution emitters by the Air Quality Program's enforcement efforts. No tax dollars will be utilized to fund projects.
Applications and all supporting materials are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 23.
To learn more about the ACHD's air quality efforts, visit: alleghenycounty.us/airquality