Title:
Grant Application - Grants to Replace Aging Diesel Engines (GRADE)
Summary
ACTION:
A. Approve submission of a grant application for up to $2 Million in Diesel Emission Reduction Act funding to support the County’s GRADE program
B. Upon award of grant, recognize, receive and appropriate the grant money
C. Authorize the carry forward of unspent grant funds to subsequent years until completion of the project
Staff Contact: Leslie Rhodes, Director, LUESA Air Quality
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Mecklenburg County Air Quality (MCAQ) is applying for up to $2 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grant funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The DERA funding will be used to provide sub-grants to repower or replace heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment in the Charlotte region as part of the County’s Grants to Replace Aging Diesel Engines (GRADE) program. GRADE will be administered by MCAQ staff, and MCAQ will provide up to $100,000 in matching funds from existing gas tax revenue. All other matching funds will be provided by equipment owners who participate in GRADE.
Continuation of the GRADE program aligns with LUESA’s Strategic Business Plan and helps the Charlotte region maintain compliance with federal health-based standards for ground-level ozone.
The Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) Strategic Business Plan identified competing for grant opportunities as an action that supports the strategy of reducing air pollution from cars, trucks, and off-road equipment (Goal 3, Objective 1, Strategy A).
While local air quality has improved, the Charlotte region only narrowly meets that health-based standard for ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone is formed from the photochemical reaction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds. Reducing NOx emissions is the best strategy to reduce ground-level ozone concentrations in the Southeastern states.
MCAQ has successfully administe...
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