Memorandum
Date: March 24, 2020
To: The Honorable Moke Simon, Chair, LCAQMD Board of Directors
From: Douglas Gearhart, APCO
Subject: Authorize the APCO to sign and submit the Grant Agreement between the District and CARB for the Woodsmoke Reduction Program, operate a woodstove changeout program, and sign all other program documents.
Executive Summary: The Woodsmoke Reduction Program (WRP) was established in FY 2016/2017 with funds appropriated from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for a statewide program replacing uncertified inefficient wood burning devices with cleaner burning and more efficient devices, resulting in greenhouse gas reductions with a co-benefit of reducing particulate and toxic pollutants.
The WRP is an overly paper heavy and legalistic process to implement and administer due to the funding source and reporting requirements of the State. During the first year of implementation the District received $202,500 in project funds and completed 52 woodstove change outs. Nearly all change outs were wood to wood, but they went from uncertified woodstoves to certified woodstoves. Approximately 30% of the new woodstoves met the 2020 standard for emissions and efficiency. Several stoves changed from wood to propane fueled as well.
The program is designed to help low income and environmental justice (EJ) areas. Under the state definition, we do not have any EJ areas, but we do have low income. As such our program policies and procedures provides maximum incentive to low income individuals and areas. For these we have set an initial voucher maximum of $5,000 for low income households. All applicants in low income communities can qualify for a voucher of $2,500, and all other qualified applicants can qualify for $1,000. The program guidelines includes a goal of directing 75% of funds to low income areas. This funding cycle the District is only anticipating receiving $87,647.06 for projects, but this could change depending on the level of...
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