$14.9 Million Available for Pollution Reduction Projects From MSRC; Clean Fuel Vehicles, Fueling Facilities and Rideshare Promotion Among Funding Categories.

Business Editors

DIAMOND BAR, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2002

In an effort to clean up pollution from heavy-duty vehicles, provide clean fueling facilities, and encourage ridesharing, the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) is seeking $14.9 million worth of projects to fund. The MSRC is a government group responsible for funding transportation-related clean air projects that reduce air pollution in Southern California.

Each year, the MSRC funds projects in specific categories aimed at reducing emissions from mobile sources such as cars, trucks and buses which account for almost two-thirds of the emissions going into the air in Southern California.

This year's categories eligible for funding include clean heavy-duty vehicles, alternative fuel transit buses, construction of alternative fueling stations, as well as a regional vanpool program, "Rideshare Thursday" public awareness campaign and expanded Freeway Service Patrol. In addition, several other projects are slated for funding including incentives for the purchase of compressed natural gas school buses; replacement of diesel trucks servicing the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles; and a light-duty vehicle repair assistance program in conjunction with the Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Funding will also be available for a local government match program for the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles, and for assistance to the Coachella Valley for a variety of measures to reduce particulates.

"This is a balanced approach with funding available for clean vehicles and the necessary fueling facilities, as well as the continuation of efforts to boost ridesharing and carpooling," said MSRC Chairman and Palm Springs Mayor William G. Kleindienst. "We're directing assistance toward clean vehicles and places to fuel them. There's also a need to continue working on changing the solo driving habits of commuters."

This year's eligible categories include:

-- Heavy Duty Vehicles -- $2 million is available for co-funding of new alternative fuel on-and-off road vehicles, infrastructure, training and facility modifications.

-- Alternative Fuel Transit Buses and Infrastructure -- $2 million is available to help purchase low-emission, full-size alternative fuel buses. Funds are restricted to vehicles meeting the state optional standards for nitrogen oxides. Funds are also available for refueling infrastructure, maintenance facility modifications, and specialized fleet mechanic training.

-- Alternative Fuel Infrastructure -- $1.25 million in co-funding is available for capital costs of construction of new, publicly accessible alternative refueling stations in the South Coast Basin. Limited to established fuel providers.

Transportation Control Measures:

-- "Rideshare Thursday" Outreach -- MSRC is requesting proposals

for a one-year "Rideshare Thursday" public awareness campaign

that promotes the use of transportation alternatives, such as

carpooling and vanpooling with a funding level of $800,000.

-- Regional Vanpool Program -- Funding in the amount of $450,000

is available for the development, marketing and implementation

of a regional vanpool program incentive program to promote the

formation of vanpools and/or increase participation in

existing vanpools.

-- Expanded Freeway Service Patrol -- A total of $1.5 million

will be allotted to a program for new or expanded freeway

service patrols that remove disabled vehicles from congested

freeways.

The upcoming MSRC work program will also include these elements:

-- Coachella Valley PM Program ($1 million) -- A local government

match program will be implemented to help fund a variety of

particulate reduction measures such as street sweepers, wind

fences and blowsand removal equipment.

-- Local Government Subvention Match ($2.45 million) -- Matching

funds for local governments will be continued to help offset

the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure.

-- Light Duty Vehicle Repair Assistance ($500,000) -- The Bureau

of Automotive Repair is offering free vehicle testing and

repair to low-income drivers. The MSRC will provide a funding

match.

-- Diesel Truck Replacement ($1 million) -- To replace diesel

trucks that service the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

-- Incentives for CNG School Buses ($2 million) -- The MSRC will

continue its buydown incentive for compressed natural gas

school buses purchased through pre-qualified vendors.

To apply for funding, applicants much follow the Request for Proposals (RFP) or Request for Qualification (RFQ) process. Applicants may apply in more than one category, but must submit a separate proposal for each.

For more information about the MSRC's upcoming work program, visit the MSRC website at www.msrc-cleanair.org or call 909/396-2777.

About the MSRC

The Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) is a committee responsible for funding transportation projects that reduce air pollution within Southern California. It was formed in 1990 when Assembly Bill 2766 was signed into law authorizing a $4 motor vehicle registration fee. Thirty percent of the $4 fee or approximately $13 million annually is used for programs administered by the MSRC. Membership is made up of representatives from the transportation agencies of Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties, as well as the Southern California Association of Governments, Southern California Rideshare, California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.