Grants Fund Innovative Utah Air Quality Projects

The 2017 Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR) grant program is looking to fund innovative projects that improve the state’s air quality and reduce emissions through data-driven plans. All Utah air quality projects that reduce emissions will be eligible for funding, but special consideration will be taken for those that directly address higher-emissions vehicles, reduce commuting and establish emissions credits:

• Repair or remove vehicles that are particularly high emitters, including older or poorly maintained vehicles
• Help transition small businesses and/or homeowners currently driving vehicles with two-stroke engines to those with four-stroke, or electric engines
• Create strategies to encourage employers and individuals to use telecommuting and other workforce strategies that get vehicles off the road, particularly during the inversion season (when cool air is trapped below a layer of warm air, trapping higher levels of air pollutants)
• Implement a state-wide smoking vehicle hotline, like Texas, and others
• Create and manage an emission credit program to solicit clean air donations from individuals and distribute those funds to individuals who need help with funds to support projects

All proposals must be accompanied by projections of emissions reduction and the means by which it will be quantified during the project. Non-profit organizations seeking grant funds will need to match any awards received through the UCAIR program.

The grant program if focused on three challenges to Utah air quality:

1. Projects that reduce the specific pollutants that create PM_2.5 and ozone in non-attainment areas
2. Projects designed to utilize new or emerging technologies and address a significant source of emissions
3. Projects that target innovative emissions-reduction strategies and promote community involvement

UCAIR Grant program applications to improve Utah air quality are due Oct. 2, 2017.

Get more information and apply for the grant on the UCAIR website.