Additional Funding Available to help Reduce Emissions from Trucks doing Business with the Port

Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

In June 2008, the Port of San Diego announced that funding was available to help truck owners pay for retrofitting or replacing their older model trucks to reduce air emissions. This was part of the Port's Clean Truck Program, which was approved by the Board of Port Commissioners on June 10, 2008.

About $2.96 million in grant funding was available for the project through the State's Goods Movement Emissions Reduction Plan that was approved by Proposition 1B. The Port has provided matching funding of $2 million through fiscal year 2009. The California Air Resources Board is the state agency implementing the emissions reduction plan and the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is the local agency responsible for administering the funding. The Port entered into an agreement with them to administer the program.

The Port received 44 applications, including 19 for possible retrofits and 25 seeking complete replacements. The San Diego Air Pollution Control District reviewed the applications and ranked them based on emission reductions and cost effectiveness. Of these, 19 trucks were approved for retrofits and 11 for complete replacement.

Truck owners who qualify for the retrofitting could receive up to $5,000 in grant funding. The Port would match the contribution up to $5,000. The cost to retrofit a truck with a diesel particulate filter runs from $10,000 to $15,000. Truck owners who qualify for complete truck replacement could receive up to $50,000 in state grant funding and the Port would match up to $50,000. Replacing an older model truck can range between $70,000 and $250,000.

The San Diego Air Pollution Control District is ready to release the second round of funding for the Clean Truck Program. About $2.1 million of remaining state funds and $1.3 million of Port funds is available. Applications, information and instructions on applying for the funding are available for download here. The deadline for submitting applications is 5 p.m., Friday, October 31, 2008. Applications must be addressed to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, attention: Chuck Spagnola, 10124 Old Grove Road, San Diego, CA 92131.