Emission regs may force Willows to upgrade equipment

Emission standards designed to control air pollution has Willows officials scrambling to find money to buy new heavy equipment.

With an anticipated general fund deficit, the city hopes to use grant funding to purchase a new street sweeper that meets clean air standards, officials said last week.

The California Air Resources Board, which developed a comprehensive strategy to control diesel emissions, set goals to reduce diesel particulate mater emissions in California by 85 percent by 2020.

Construction equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, sweepers and forklifts account for 32 percent of all carbon dioxide and seven percent of fine particle emissions expelled in the air, according to the state.

The City Council also has its eye on Community Development Block Grant funding available in 2012 for a number of other projects, city officials said.

City Manager Steve Holsinger said categories under the 2012 Super NOFA funding cycle include general economic development, planning and technical assistant, housing and new construction, housing rehabilitation, community facilities and public services, public works and economic development.

"The state is allocating more money than they have in the past," Holsinger said.

Willows anticipates applying for the maximum grant amounts available under the general and economic development components, as well as the maximum $100,000 now available for the planning and technical assistance components.

In the past, Willows has traditionally received only $35,000 for planning and technical assistance, Holsinger said.

The city can also apply for up to $3 million under the state's "over-the-counter" economic development program for specific projects that create or retain jobs.

Activities can include new construction, the purchase of equipment, working capital, land acquisition and engineering and architectural costs.

Projects funded with Community Development Block Grant funds must carry out at least one of the three national objectives, Holsinger said, including benefiting the targeted income group, eliminating slums and blight or satisfying an emergency or urgent need.

The activities must result in the creation of jobs for low-to-moderate income persons, Holsinger said.

CONTACT Susan Meeker at 934-6800 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.