The Valley Air District is getting $9 million in federal grants to help farmers and truckers buy new environment-friendly ag tractors and heavy-duty diesel trucks.

“Grant funds such as these provide significant resources to assist in the deployment of the latest and cleanest technologies to expedite emission reductions, protect public health, and meet air quality targets,” said Samir Sheikh, executive director and air pollution control officer of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District in a news release.

“With these funds and matching investments by Valley residents and farmers, the EPA is acknowledging the unique challenges of the Valley and providing much needed and appreciated financial assistance.”

The Valley Air District submitted an agricultural tractor replacement proposal and heavy-duty diesel truck replacement proposal to the EPA Diesel Emission Reduction Act 2022-2023 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistant Program. In March 2024, the District was notified that both proposals were awarded $4.5 million in funding from the highly competitive program. This is the maximum amount available under the grant.

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Nearly 13,000 Old Tractors Replaced Thus Far

Thus far, the district’s Agricultural Tractor Replacement Program has supplied over $820 million to replace more than 12,800 old, high-polluting agricultural tractors with new, substantially cleaner units. This created a reduction of 67,700 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The $4.5 million from this grant will fund the replacement of another 102 high-polluting tractors.

The Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck Replacement Program provided more than $158 million to replace about 3,000 heavy-duty trucks with new, more environmentally friendly trucks. The change has resulted in a reduction of more than 6,500 tons of NOx and 53 tons of particulate matter (PM). The $4.5 million grant will aid in funding the replacement of an additional 18 high-polluting trucks with five to eight zero-emission trucks.

The complete list of district grant programs for residents, businesses, and agencies and their requirements can be found here or by calling (559) 230-5800.