Applications open for Butte County clean air projects

CHICO, Calif. — The Butte County Air Quality Management District is looking to the community for new ways to curb smog and harmful emissions.

The district is accepting applications for their Carl Moyer and FARMER programs. Eligible projects can get funding to replace heavy duty and agricultural equipment in an effort to cut down on air pollutants. That can include on- and off-road equipment like tractors and tree shakers. According to Senior Air Quality Planner Jason Mandly, the district is now also seeing applications for projects like electric tractors for the first time.

"It could be pretty much anything that you see out there running in the fields, it could be a tractor, a shaker, a sweeper, a combine, a stationary agricultural pump engine," he said. "Upgrading the equipment is important from an emission standpoint."

Applications are also open for theCommunity Air Protection Incentives Program which helps fund projects that cut down on air pollutants at schools.

"In this space we do prioritize projects that are zero emission or zero emission technology and also help protect sensitive receptors like students or those that are extra sensitive to air quality. Some projects that we have funded in the past include air filtration systems at schools, electric school buses, electric tractors, as well as diesel replacement projects," he said.

They plan on giving out close to $2.5 million in project funding. The last day to apply is May 9. Interested applicants can find information on eligibility here.