CARB sets guidelines for $1 billion in goods movement bond funds

CARB sets guidelines for $1 billion in goods movement bond funds The California Air Resources Board has approved an outline of how it will distribute $1 billion in state bond funds for goods movement air quality programs throughout the state.
   The funds, part of California's Proposition 1B infrastructure measure passed by voters in 2006, will be earmarked for projects within trade corridors in four regional areas: Los Angeles/Inland Empire, Central Valley, Bay Area and San Diego.
   CARB also set guidelines regarding the types of projects the funds could be used for. Out of the $1 billion total, these include:
   ' Diesel trucks serving seaports and intermodal rail yards, $400 million.
   ' Other diesel trucks that haul goods, truck stop or distribution center electrification, $360 million.
   ' Diesel freight locomotives, $100 million.
   ' Shore power for cargo ships, cargo handling equipment used at seaports and intermodal rail yards, $100 million.
   ' Commercial harbor craft, $40 million.
   While the 11-member CARB did not specify how much of each type would be headed toward each region, the agency did specify the total share of the funds each region would receive. The split was determined based on how much of the state's total emission levels the region's projects would cut. Funds to these region are:
   ' Los Angeles/Inland Empire trade corridor, $550 million (55 percent of the total).
   ' Central Valley trade corridor, $250 million (25 percent).
   ' Bay Area trade corridor, $140 million (14 percent).
   ' San Diego/Border trade corridor, $60 million (6 percent).
   The first installment of the funds, $250 million, was included in the state's 2007-2008 recently signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Prop-1B air quality funds are being disbursed through the state budget.
   CARB also approved $25 million in early grants to the four regions:
   ' Los Angeles/Inland Empire, $13.8 million.
   ' Central Valley, $6.5 million.
   ' Bay Area, $3.4 million.
   ' San Diego/Border, $1.3 million. ' Keith Higginbotham