he MSRC has announced several new program solicitations for the fall, with more on the way. The Local Government Match Program, Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Program, and Alternative Fuel School Bus Buy-Down Incentive Program have been so popular in the past that the MSRC has brought them back again this year.
“These new program solicitations are an important part of the MSRC’s two-year targeted $38.5 million Work Program,” said Greg Pettis, Chair of the MSRC. “We have listened to local agencies about what their needs are and the types of programs they would like to see funded, and have crafted our Work Program to help them get their clean air projects up and running.”
The 2013 edition of the Local Government Match Program has $11 million available for cities and counties that utilize their AB 2766 Subvention Funds for projects in seven categories, including a project category new to the program this year. The eligible project categories are:
• New alternative-fuel refueling stations;
• Upgrade and expansion of existing alternative fuel refueling stations;
• Upgrade of existing fleet maintenance facilities to accommodate gaseous-fuel vehicles;
• Electric vehicle charging stations;
• Purchase of medium and heavy-duty alternative fuel vehicles;
• Street sweeping operations in the Coachella Valley.
Additionally, funding will be available this year for bicycle infrastructure and related programs. In fact, at the recent applicant workshops, the bicycling category received some of the most enthusiastic interest from agency representatives.
Available on a first come, first served basis, the Match Program provides a “dollar for dollar” match against qualifying funding sources, like AB 2766 funds, so that local governments can leverage existing funding to get their clean transportation projects off the ground more quickly. The earliest date to submit an application is October 15, and the solicitation closes on February 28, 2014.
The MSRC has allocated $7.5 million for the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Program to assist in the construction and expansion of alternative fuel refueling stations in the South Coast Air District. Eligible alternative fuels include compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable biogas (methane), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and L/CNG.
To streamline the application process, both the Local Government Match and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure programs require applications be submitted electronically via the MSRC’s website.
The Alternative Fuel School Bus Buy-Down Incentive Program is seeking qualified school bus vendors and/or authorized agents that will be able to offer a vehicle buy-down incentive to replace older, diesel school buses with new, dedicated natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (i.e., propane) school buses. Eligible funding recipients include public school districts and student transportation companies. Up to $2 million is available for this program. The MSRC already has received qualifications packages from two vendors, and the committee will consider recommendations during its upcoming monthly meeting. Qualifications packages must be submitted by November 8, 2013.
“These three solicitations represent categories that over the last several years have helped define the MSRC as a key supporter of clean air projects in the region, particularly for local governments,” noted Greg.
The MSRC also has up to $5 million available for the Signal Synchronization Program for county transportation commissions (on behalf of their member cities, county and possibly regional Caltrans District) to partner with the MSRC on traffic signal synchronization projects. The county transportation commissions can submit their work plans until January 31, 2014.
Additionally, the Major Event Center Transportation Program solicitation has been open since March. This program provides funding to qualified major event centers, not sufficiently served by public transit, to partner with transportation providers to get event attendees out of their cars and onto alternative transportation modes. The submission deadline is September 30, 2014.
The MSRC’s future solicitations will include funding for zero- or near-zero emission medium-heavy-duty vehicles, which has been a very popular program in the last few years.
For more information about these programs or to be notified when new solicitations are released, please visit www.CleanTransportationFunding.org