Air Quality Mitigation
Fund Program

The Air Quality Mitigation Fund (AQMF) provides approximately $5 million for projects to reduce port-related air emissions in the San Pedro Bay area. Projects funded by the AQMF must demonstrate achievable and quantifiable emissions reduction in San Pedro and Wilmington, within a 25-mile boundary of the San Pedro Bay. Harbor Community Benefit Foundation (HCBF) is seeking applications to award funding for demonstration or implementation zero emissions technologies, near-zero emissions technologies, or emission reduction technologies.

The AQMF was established through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation (HCBF). In 2004, POLA set aside funding for air quality mitigation through a settlement associated with the approval of the China Shipping Container Terminal Project (China Shipping). Approximately $5 million of the China Shipping funds are available for projects to reduce Port-Related air emissions in nearby neighborhoods, especially the communities of San Pedro and Wilmington. View the Press Release for more information.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CHINA SHIPPING AGREEMENT

 

Round 3 – In Progress

HCBF is pleased to announce its approval of Round 3 Awardees (pending approval from the Port of Los Angeles). This round of the AQMF Program is focused on reducing Port-related air emissions specifically from oceangoing vessels.

 

Click here to share the RFP Release Announcement.

Please review the RFP linked below for more information.

Round 3 Awards Approved by HCBF Board (pending final approval and release)

 

4G Management Inc. is currently developing the Maritime Emissions Capture & Control System (MECCS), a shore-based or barge-based system operated on Renewable Natural Gas. The system comprises a floating platform, tower, emission collection device, emission treatment system, CEMS system, and fuel system, all designed to achieve emission reduction. This technology primarily targets Ocean-Going Vessels (OGVs). AEG designed, built, and operated the first barge-based capture and control system in the Port of Los Angeles after receiving their CARB Executive Order in August of 2015. The new MECCS being developed will be utilized on container vessels calling at the San Pedro Bay Complex. The necessary systems for this operation will be located on a barge platform. Once completed, the barge, pushed by a harbor tug, will be moved to the berthing location of the ship requiring service and secured to the offshore side of the ship. 4G’s on-deck equipment will then be deployed to attach to the ship’s auxiliary engine stack and remain connected to the vessel from first line through last line. This barge will serve as an approved Alternative Technology to CARB’s At-Berth Regulations. Demonstration times include 5 tests lasting 72 hours each, totaling 200 hours. The primary vessel types targeted are container vessels, but the system’s flexibility allows operation on bulk vessels and RoRo vessels, pending CARB approval for boiler emissions with additional Capture Efficiency testing.

AERAS is currently developing the AERAS Technologies: Barge-based Emission Capture and Control for RoRo and Bulk Vessels, which involves a barge-mounted emission capture and treatment platform providing CARB-compliant removal of diesel particulates, NOx, and reactive organic gases. This technology focuses on Ocean-Going Vessels (OGVs). AERAS is completing demonstration testing on container vessels in the LA/Long Beach Port complex and has innovated to offer marine systems integrating a series of proven emission capture and control technologies that exceed the reliability and effectiveness of previously deployed units. With the support of HCBF, AERAS will modify and demonstrate the system on RoRo and bulk vessels, resulting in a CARB-approved barge-based emission capture and control system to treat emissions from these vessels. There are currently no such systems in San Pedro Bay. Upon successful completion of testing, AERAS plans to deploy a fleet of these systems to serve California ports. Demonstration hours include 500 hours of commissioning and durability testing on RoRo vessels and bulk vessels (250 hours for each vessel type). Post-demo annual hours are projected to be 500 hours for RoRo vessels (approximately 50 vessel calls), 2000 hours for bulk vessels (approximately 28 vessel calls), and 4000 hours for container vessels (approximately 84 vessel calls).

STAX Engineering is proposing to construct a new barge-based emissions control system for servicing ocean-going vessels (OGV) while at berth. The STAX system, which is commercially available and in operation at the LA and Long Beach ports, services container and auto carrier vessels. The system captures vessel emissions using a system that connects to the vessel’s exhaust pipes, collects exhaust gas, and conveys the exhaust gas to the STAXboxTM purification system. This technology focuses on emission reduction for OGVs. The new system will use a specially designed placement arm to collect the exhaust from the ship’s exhaust pipe and transport it to the barge-based control equipment for the removal of criteria and toxic pollutants. STAX Engineering’s system is currently being modified to include a second air purification system on the barge to control emissions from two exhaust pipes, as many ships operate two engines while at berth or an engine and boiler. The first barge system has approved testing plans for container vessels, auto carriers/RoRo, and tankers. Demonstration hours include 1,000 hours of emission control services in 2024. Post-demo annual hours are expected to be at least 6,000 hours per year for 20 years or longer, with the average service call being approximately 50 hours. The number of vessels serviced will be between 100 to 150 per year, focusing on auto carriers (RoRo).

 

 

Round 2 Updates

On November 18th, 2022, the HCBF Board of Directors voted to approve the funding recommendation to award AQMF funds to WattEV in the amount of $2,000,000 for their public EV charging stations. Now HCBF is awaiting final BOHC vote to approve the funding recommendation.

Applicant Presentations to the HCBF Board of Directors

AQMF Applicants provided presentations to the HCBF Board of Directors on Friday, October 28th, 2022. Please click the links below to review the presentations.

OGV: Ocean Going Vessels

§  4G Management, Inc.

§  T2M Global LLC

Cargo Handling Equipment

§  Yusen Terminal

EV Charging Stations

§  Prologis

§  WattEV

 

Round 1 Grantee

November 2019, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners approved HCBF’s selection of Effenco Development Inc. to received Round 1 funding through the Air Quality Mitigation Program. Click here to find out more.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Click HERE to view questions from other potential AQMF applicants

What is the Air Quality Mitigation Fund program?
The goal of AQMF Program is to implement programs, projects, and approaches that demonstrate port-related air emission reduction in the communities of San Pedro, Wilmington and other surrounding communities in the San Pedro Bay area. HCBF intends to support viable technology companies, so they not only reduce emissions throughout the duration of the project but also keep implementing those technologies and continually grow their businesses in the LA region. Achieving a high rate of success would mean that the technology companies would likely stay in the area after the completion of this program and continue reducing emissions. This would also contribute to job creation and economic development at both local and regional levels.

When will the awards be announced for upcoming rounds of funding?

The announcement for Round 3 has been released. Please see above for more details.

What types of projects or programs will be funded through the AQMF Program?
Previous rounds of AQMF funding has focused on the implementation and/or demonstration of freight movement technologies such as: hybrid or electric vehicles, zero or near-zero emissions cargo handling equipment, ship emissions reduction technologies, catenary truck technologies, zero or near-zero tailpipe emissions truck technologies, among others. Round 3 of the AQMF Program is focused on reducing Port-related air emissions specifically from oceangoing vessels.

Projects funded by the AQMF are expected primarily to demonstrate achievable emissions reduction benefits in San Pedro and Wilmington, and within a 25-mile boundary of the San Pedro Bay (but benefits may also extend beyond the 25-mile boundary).

Does HCBF have a priority for AQMF funds?
HCBF is looking for zero emission, near zero emission, and emission reduction technologies, with special emphasis on zero emission technologies. Round 3 will be focusing on reductions in air emissions from oceangoing vessels.

Are submitted proposals confidential?

Proposals are subject to disclosure which means they may be made publicly available. Please do not submit any confidential or proprietary information.

Usually proposals are not subject to disclosure until the process is over and we have made selections.

Confidential information contained in a proposal may be withheld from public disclosure. Confidential information generally consists of financial information, trademarked or patented processes, etc. In case it is necessary for proposers to include certain truly confidential information in their proposals, this information must be clearly marked as confidential. It is likely that it will not be subject to disclosure. However, we suggest not including confidential information in your proposal.

If the information that the applicant does not want revealed is not really confidential, we can withhold it during the vetting process. It means that we would not disclose the contents of any proposal until after the entire vetting process is complete and HCBF has made its decisions.

How can I apply for grant funding through the AQMF Program?
Announcements for open call for proposals or letters of interest will be released to those on our mailing list. To join our mailing list, please contact Tamanna Rahman at tamanna@hcbf.org.

When will the RFP be released?
The Request for Proposals for Round 3 was released on December 21, 2022. Information about the current round of funding is listed above. will be an invitation only process following Letter of Interest (LOI) submissions. To be notified of any upcoming release of funding, please join the mailing list or contact Meghan Reese at meghan@hcbf.org.

How can I join the AQMF mailing list?
To join our mailing list, please contact Tamanna Rahman at tamanna@hcbf.org.

Where can I find resources to calculate emission reduction and co-benefits?The following links provide resources on calculating emission reduction and co-benefits, including tools, methodology, data, and reporting templates. The list below is not exhaustive. We encourage potential applicants to do further research as applicable to the specific technology and site conditions.

How can I find local partners? What resources are available?

Dana GolandInterested applicants can start with the resources below to find out more about establishing local partnerships:

How can I get in contact with HCBF Staff?
For more information or if you have any other questions, please contact Dana P. Goland (dana@hcbf.org) or call us at (310) 997-7116.

Also, your feedback is very important to us. Your comments and questions will help us not only to structure the outreach process better but also address any potential concerns you may have regarding the selection process and subsequent project demonstration and implementation. To provide feedback please email HCBF Staff and sign up for the AQMF mailing list to provide comments.