LAWA LAUNCHES INCENTIVE SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE ‘CLEANER’ VEHICLES AT LAX

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is now accepting applications for a new voluntary incentive programme designed to help airport operators achieve compliance with LAWA’s environmental policies and further improve the air quality surrounding Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The Zero & Near-Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle Incentive Program is for businesses operating at LAX looking to replace older, heavy-duty diesel-burning vehicles with new ones that emit very few or zero pollutants.

The programme, which will distribute up to $500,000 in grants of no more than $15,000 per vehicle, will help LAWA and airport businesses meet a shared strategic goal of reducing emissions.

“When it comes to addressing the challenges of climate change and cleaner air, all of our airport partners can play a role in reducing our carbon footprint and operating in a more sustainable manner,” said Samantha Bricker, deputy executive director for the environmental programs group at LAWA.

“Our Zero & Near-Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle Incentive Program provides funding that will allow our airport partners to purchase cleaner vehicles, that operate at LAX, benefitting our airport, our local community and our region.”

The Zero & Near-Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle Incentive Program is for airport contractors, licensees, or lessees that own and operate qualifying heavy-duty vehicles at LAX.

Selected business owners will use the grants to cover the price difference between an older, diesel-burning vehicle and a newer, cleaner zero or near zero emission vehicle.

Programme funds can be applied to qualifying vehicles that meet the following criteria: new vehicles must meet California Department of Motor Vehicle requirements for use on public roadways; have a gross vehicle weight of 14,001 pounds or greater; and be certified by the California Air Resources Board as having either zero tailpipe emissions or a heavy-duty engine meeting an Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) emission standard of 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour or lower.

This NOx emission standard is 90 percent lower than the standard currently used by the Environmental Protection Agency.

After purchase of a cleaner vehicle, the applicant must complete the older vehicle’s replacement either by rendering it inoperable and to be sold as scrap, or by relocating it to an owner/operator facility outside of the State of California.

Funds from the programme are to be applied exclusively towards the purchase price of the new vehicle.

LAWA has allocated $500,000 to the programme, which is funded through LAWA’s general fund. No single applicant can receive more than $100,000, with no more than $15,000 allocated per vehicle.

Applicants are also encouraged to take advantage of other incentive programs offered by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) Program.