"California prides itself on being one of the trailblazers in the field of high tech and these projects are no exception," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Testing the latest technologies will mean residents living near railyards and ports can reap the benefits of cleaner air and a better quality of life."
The goal of ARB’s demonstration projects is to accelerate the next generation of advanced technology vehicles, equipment, or emission control devices to the open market. Governor Schwarzenegger provided funding for clean vehicle technologies by signing AB 118 into law in October 2007. Smog abatement, vehicle and vessel registration fees pay for these programs.
The selected demonstration projects are:
• $1 million to retrofit a tugboat with hybrid engine technology at the Port of Long Beach;
• $346,178 for advanced technology locomotive engine upgrades with soot traps at the Port of Los Angeles;
• $502,865 for advanced technology locomotive engine upgrades with soot traps within the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District; and,
• $150,957 for advanced technology locomotive engine upgrades with soot traps within the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The awardees will work in partnership with ARB to find new solutions that improve air quality for the communities they serve as well as providing matching funds for the projects. Work on the demonstration projects will be completed by June 30, 2012.
More details on the funding plan are available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aqip/fundplan/fundplan.htm