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 – Now Accepting Applications!

HCBF is pleased to announce the release of the Round 3 Request for Proposals. This round of the AQMF Program is focused on reducing Port-related air emissions specifically from oceangoing vessels.

Complete applications are due by 4pm PST on Friday, February 24th, 2023.

Click here to share the RFP Release Announcement.

Please review the RFP linked below for more information.

AQMF Round 3 RFP Informational Webinar

HCBF hosted an informational webinar for interested applicants to provide an overview of the RFP requirements, the application process, and to answer questions. Please click here to view the recorded presentation.

 

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.